Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman opts out, will become free agent

Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald on Nov 4, 2025

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BOSTON — One of the least surprising developments of the offseason is now official.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman has formally opted out of his contract and is now a free agent, according to multiple reports.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported Bregman’s intention to opt out, and Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe was first on the official decision Monday.

Bregman’s decision to opt out was widely expected. The three-time All-Star originally sought a lucrative long-term contract last offseason but was unable to land a suitable deal. Instead Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox that included opt outs after each year, essentially giving the veteran the ability to test the market again whenever he wanted.

Now Bregman will get another bite at the apple.

Though Bregman’s first season in Boston did not go off without a hitch, it was largely successful. The 31-year-old batted .273 with 18 home runs and an .821 OPS while playing standout defense at third base. He was named an All-Star and a Silver Slugger finalist despite missing more than a month with a quad strain, though his production fell off in the second half, especially in September ahead of the club’s final playoff push.

Even with the injury and the slump, Bregman remains the top free agent available at third base. He also won’t have to worry about his market being impacted by a qualifying offer like it was last year, when any club that signed him would have to forfeit a draft pick.

Bregman is currently among a handful of players from last year’s Red Sox club set to hit free agency, joining outfielder Rob Refsnyder, right-hander Dustin May and left-handers Steven Matz and Justin Wilson.

According to The Boston Globe, right-hander Lucas Giolito will join them after declining his mutual option. Right-hander Liam Hendriks also holds a mutual option that is likely to be declined, and shortstop Trevor Story has an opt out, which the Red Sox could void by picking up a club option for 2028. The deadline for each of those situations to be resolved in Thursday.

____