Did Alex Bregman almost sign with Tigers? Red Sox slugger thought he was going to Detroit
Alex Bregman was ready to sign with the Detroit Tigers.
That had always been the plan — until the All-Star third baseman instead joined the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 12, signing a three-year, $120 million contract with $60 million in deferred money and opt-outs after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, turning down offers from the Tigers and Chicago Cubs.
Detroit's offer?
It was for six years and $171.5 million, with $40 million in deferred money and an opt-out after the 2026 season.
"We thought we were going somewhere else the entire time," Bregman said Wednesday morning on the "Foul Territory" show during an interview with ex-Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin. "And then in the last 30 minutes, we talked to Boston and the deal got done."
Where did Bregman think he was signing?
"We thought we were going to be in Detroit the entire time," said Bregman, represented by agent Scott Boras as a free agent for the first time in the 2024-25 offseason, "and then at the last second, Boston kind of came in."
Bregman, a two-time World Series champion, provided additional insight into his free agency, which lasted more than three months, from Oct. 31-Feb. 12.
He detailed his connection with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
"It's a great relationship," Bregman said of Hinch, who managed him from 2016-19 with the Houston Astros. "I think he's an amazing manager, great guy. We talk all the time. We were talking all offseason."
Beyond Hinch, Bregman also commended the Tigers' organization for its recent success.
He knows from firsthand experience: The Tigers snapped a decade-long postseason drought in 2024, then defeated Bregman's Astros in the American League wild-card series before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.
"Obviously, they had a really good team last year, they got a really good team again this year," said Bregman, who went 3-for-8 in the wild-card series. "I wanted to be in a position and in a place that we felt like we could win, and it was between Houston, Boston, Detroit and Chicago. I felt like all four of those organizations were winning organizations. I had great conversations with all of them. Ultimately, I'm super excited to be here and to be playing in Boston."
Meanwhile, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris implied Bregman never wanted to play in Detroit.
"We want players who want to be here," Harris said Feb. 14, two days after missing out on Bregman. "We made a very compelling offer to Alex Bregman, but he chose to sign somewhere else. That's fine. We knew that was a possibility throughout this process, and we planed for that outcome."
Along the way, the Tigers turned down two offers proposed by Bregman's representatives, both without any deferred money: seven years, $200 million; six years, $186 million with an opt-out clause after the 2025 season.
"Alex has great respect for the Detroit organization, its great players, and its heralded manager," Boras said Feb. 17 in a statement to the Free Press. "He received a close-up view of the Tigers and their promising future during the 2024 playoffs, which is why he directed me to place Detroit on his priority list for free-agent meetings. Following very positive meetings, Alex directed me to convey offers to Detroit, which illustrates his high regard for the city and the franchise."
In spring training, Bregman is hitting .333 (11-for-33) with three home runs, five walks and eight strikeouts across 13 games for the Red Sox as he prepares for the 2025 season.
Bregman, a Gold Glove winner at third base, averaged 25 homers and 154 games per season over the past three years with the Astros, posting a .798 OPS. His 14 fWAR from 2022-24 ranked 18th among 230 qualified position players.
The Tigers still don't have an everyday third baseman after optioning rookie Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo following his struggles on offense in spring training, meaning he won't make the Opening Day roster. To start the 2025 season, the Tigers are expected to deploy a third-base platoon: Zach McKinstry against right-handed pitchers and Andy Ibáñez against left-handed pitchers.
Bregman could opt out of his contract with the Red Sox and return to free agency after the 2025 season.
And the Tigers could find themselves right back in the mix.
"It was kind of crazy," Bregman said. "I met with a lot of teams. And then, honestly, everything happened in the last 30 minutes. It was kind of rapid fire."
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Alex Bregman talks Detroit Tigers free agency before Red Sox signing
-
Rafael Devers says he's 'here to help,' willing to play DH for Red Sox after insisting he plays third base
Devers is nowhere near as good defensively at third base as Red Sox addition Alex Bregman.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Rafael Devers walks back refusal to DH, says he'll do whatever Red Sox ask of him as Opening Day approaches
Devers has yet to play a game this spring training, while Alex Bregman has mostly manned third baseCBS Sports - 6d -
Mo Vaughn, Ex-M.L.B. Slugger, Admits He Used Human Growth Hormone
Vaughn, a three-time All-Star, hit 328 home runs across 12 seasons with the Red Sox, Angels and Mets.The New York Times - Mar. 10 -
Detroit Tigers option third baseman Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo in spring training cuts
Without Jace Jung, the Detroit Tigers seem content with a platoon at third base of Zach McKinstry vs. right-handers and Andy Ibáñez vs. left-handers.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
‘PEANUTS’ night announced for Red Sox matchup against the Mariners
Let’s go, Red Sox, Charlie Brown!Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Detroit Tigers' Jace Jung finally hit home run, but Opening Day roster spot uncertain
Detroit Tigers third baseman Jace Jung went 229 days without hitting a home run, including the 45 days he spent playing 34 games in his MLB career.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Red Sox's Giolito (hammy) to start season on IL
The Boston Red Sox will open the season with three starting pitchers on the injured list after right-hander Lucas Giolito strained his left hamstring.ESPN - 6d -
Max Fried’s decision to join Yankees over Red Sox, others came down to ‘gut feeling’
TAMPA, Fla. — Fresh off his first start against the Red Sox since joining the Yankees, Max Fried didn’t make much of his introduction to a storied rivalry. After all, the lefty’s initial taste came ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Detroit Tigers slash 8 players in 4th round of spring training cuts, including .417 hitter
The number of occupied lockers in the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at the TigerTown complex continues to shrink with just 12 days until Opening Day.Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cade Cunningham banks in game-winning 3 to push Pistons past Heat
Cunningham struggled with his shot early, missing six of his eight attempts in the first quarter, but finished with 25 points on 9-of-25 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Javon Bennett buries eight treys; Dayton advances to next round of NIT
The University of Dayton men’s basketball team had a strong offensive performance to kick off their participation in the 2025 NIT.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Virginia and Stanford each win a relay event at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships
Defending champion Virginia won the first relay event at the women’s swimming and diving championships on Wednesday night to begin its quest for a fifth straight NCAA title. Virginia's Claire ...Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Deebo Samuel, Commanders agree to new contract for 2025
The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Deebo Samuel agree to a restructured contract for 2025.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Howard County basketball seniors all smiles at All-Star Game
Mar. 19—A group of Howard County's top boys beat counterparts from Carroll County, while two groups of Howard County girls engaged in an All-Star battle. Subscribe to continue reading this article. ...Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
Follow live: Texas, Xavier square off in First Four matchup
nullESPN - 4m -
March Madness 2025 bracket: NCAA Tournament picks, predictions by top-tier college basketball model
SportsLine's model has nailed 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds and revealed its optimal NCAA Tournament bracket 2025CBS Sports - 5m -
March Madness 2025: With Drake in the NCAA Tournament again, first-year coach Ben McCollum is a hot commodity
After leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament, McCollum could be 'one and done' as Drake's coachCBS Sports - 7m -
March Madness 2025: With Drake in the NCAA Tournament again, first-year coach Ben McCollum is a hot commodity
After leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament, McCollum could be 'one and done' as Drake's coachCBS Sports - 7m -
LSU football recruiting: Five-star prospect Tristen Keys commits as Tigers land No. 1 WR in 2026 class
Keys rates as the No. 1 wide receiver in the Class of 2026CBS Sports - 8m