Red Sox facing worst-case scenario at third after losing Alex Bregman

The Boston Red Sox lost their third baseman on Saturday night.

Free agent Alex Bregman reportedly agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal reportedly includes a no-trade clause and does not give Bregman the option to opt out.

Bregman had a strong 2025 in Boston, posting a .273/.360/.462 batting line over his 495 plate appearances, hitting 18 homers and 28 doubles. That performance led to Bregman opting out of the final two years and $80 million of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed with the Red Sox during the 2024-25 offseason. Bregman's production and locker room presence reportedly led the Red Sox to consider retaining their third baseman as a priority.

Boston Red Sox do not have many options left at third

Instead, the Red Sox are now in the unenviable position of scrambling to find a third baseman. NPB imports Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto signed with the White Sox and Blue Jays, respectively. Shortstop Bo Bichette is a potential option at third base but has never played the position in his career. 

The Red Sox have few options to improve the roster at third. Eugenio Suarez is the best option left in free agency, having posted a .228/.298/.526 batting line with 49 homers and 28 doubles in his 657 plate appearances between the Diamondbacks and Mariners. While Suarez would bring more power to the Red Sox lineup, his defense at third is mediocre at best and would be a significant downgrade from Bregman.

The best option may be a trade. The Red Sox have been linked to Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, who has performed well defensively at third in his limited time at the hot corner. The Cardinals are also shopping third baseman Nolan Arenado and could potentially consider a trade including him with Donovan. Such a deal would solve a pair of problems in Boston: finding a second baseman while filling their new hole at third.