The Boston Red Sox had everyone fooled this off-season! They promised everyone, mostly the fans, that the team would be extremely aggressive this off-season; they were even in pursuit of Juan Soto. So, their fans started catching hope that the team was getting back to the groove of signing big players. But then, the Red Sox missed the gem of the season, and in their defense, they did sign some players, from Garrett Crocher to Walker Buehler and even Aroldis Chapman.

But while their pitching end seems solid, what about their offense? Where is the big bat? Nada! Even with those signings, Buehler’s one-year, $21 million deal was their biggest splurge this season. From going to aim for Soto to now sitting far below the competitive tax threshold, the condition of Boston’s off-season is glaring. Yet, the rumors are flying of the Red Sox being interested in Alex Bregman. But are they serious? Given he is going to cost plenty, and they don’t seem to have made a solid move yet, Ken Rosenthal seems to have answers on Boston’s conserved off-season this time!

Is the Boston Red Sox afraid of a bad deal?

It’s not just rumors flying that the Boston Red Sox are interested in Bregman; Alex Cora has himself hinted that Bregman would be the perfect fit for the Boston Red Sox. But Ken Rosenthal from the Athletic mentioned recently that it’s looking like a game of chicken, just like Pete Alonso and the New York Mets seem to be waiting it out. Furthermore, Rosenthal mentioned that Boston might just be afraid to take a step toward Bregman in the first place.

Absolutely, he’s the future

No, it’s too risky

Only if the price is right

Let him test free agency

“They’re afraid of a bad deal,” Rosenthal said, referring to the letdowns the teams faced after taking in Masataka Yoshida, Chris Sale, and Trevor Story. Moreover, Bregman’s age and his huge ask might be too much for the team. And this season, the Boston Red Sox have let go of many stars, including Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Teoscar Hernández, and Willy Adames.

Rosenthal posed a tough but relevant question: “What is it going to take for you to sign a big free agent? Are we not ever going to do that as the Boston Red Sox? That would be self-defeating.” For years, the Boston Red Sox have been one of the top spenders, but they have really been penny-pinching for a while. They were cautious and let go of Mookie Betts, which has cost them big time. The team needs a big ba, so acting fast is the smartest decision, it seems. More so because they have competition in the Bregman sweepstakes!

Blue Jays lead charge for the Alex Bregman sweepstakes

Alex Bregman may not have had a stellar, out-of-the-ordinary year, but he is still a valuable bat, and other teams are interested in him. Bob Nightengale of USA Today mentioned that the Toronto Blue Jays are making the strongest push right now for the infielder. “The Toronto Blue Jays, who continue to be left at the altar among free agents, have shown the strongest interest,” Nightengale reported, but he questioned how much more they needed to pay Bregman, considering the high tax rate there and the distance from his Phoenix home.

As for Bergman, settling for less seems unlikely; he and Scott Boras are aiming for anything around $200, given that he turned down a $156 million offer from Houston. Now, like the Red Sox, even the Toronto Blue Jays lost the key signings this off-season. They did sign Yimi Garcia and trade for Andres Gimenez but still have a gap at third base. So, signing Bregman would fill that need. Plus, it can also provide a boost to a fanbase frustrated with the lack of action.

Also, the Blue Jays lineup could benefit from Alex Bregman playing alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette; the offense would take a giant leap forward. Now, several teams are looking forward to a deal with Bregman, some still think he will be back with the Houston Astros. So, do you think he will be back or sign elsewhere? Let us know below.