Speaking of the Qualifying Offer... players' union has to hate that, right? Can't imagine GMs love it too much, either, unless you're a team like the Pirates

The #Tigers offered Alex Bregman a six-year contract worth just more than $170 million (with some deferred money), but Bregman picked the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million contract with opt-outs after each season. https://t.co/7rKpAujTO4

— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 13, 2025

6/170 was the tigers

texasaggie2015 said:

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See, he didn't cripple Houston at all. That's my thing. They made their offer months ago and they went about their offseason the same way they would have regardless. I don't think he used them like some think he did.

I think Bob is off base. I never once heard he had no intention of coming back- he just preferred Boston and they ultimately offered the most money. He's very close to Cora.

Just my two cents.

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i don't think we are far off on our opinions, to be honest. it's not an emotional attachment driving my thoughts on him now, just that he is wearing navy and red- similar to how I can appreciate Ohtani and Soto without cheering for them. Who Bregman was and who he is now are just different. All good.

My version of Deep Throat says "Crane wasn't going to opt-outs, he's all about cost certainty"

Mr.Bond said:

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agproducer said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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Chef Elko said:

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Of the big time Astros players who left, I really only root for Springer.

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I agree

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But why? He left for more money. What makes George leaving any different than Carlos or Bregs? The fact that we knew he was done when his contact was up?

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I don't remember Houston even pursuing George..... correct me if I'm wrong

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I don't think they did, but it was pretty much a given George wanted to leave.

Is Bregman going to play 2B for the BoSox? They've already got Devers at third on a long term deal. And an albatross contract with Story

MAROON said:

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Sonia Bregman going to play 2B for the BoSox? They've already got Devers at third on a long term deal. And an albatross contract with Story

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Alex is, Sonia will be on the bench

This is correct. Can't recall exactly what it was off the top of my head but he had some sour grapes with the front office here

Service time manipulation maybe?

Thanks for the memories and the greatest era of Astros baseball ever Bregs. Good luck and enjoy the money. I harbor no ill will only indifference.

I'm just happy we stood firm on our offer and didn't cripple the organization's ability to compete going forward.

agproducer said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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agproducer said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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Chef Elko said:

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Of the big time Astros players who left, I really only root for Springer.

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I agree

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But why? He left for more money. What makes George leaving any different than Carlos or Bregs? The fact that we knew he was done when his contact was up?

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I don't remember Houston even pursuing George..... correct me if I'm wrong

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I don't think they did, but it was pretty much a given George wanted to leave.

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He was never ever signing with Houston. Wanted to go closer to home and was not happy how he was kept in the minors so we could maximize control.

I wonder how this goes over with Devers. He signed a 10 year deal 2 years ago. He's getting $29MM next year and never gets more than about $32MM. It does have $75MM deferred.

So now he's got a guy getting 33% more than him and who is going to take his position.

In the end, it was what most of us thought. Bregman is too competitive to go play for a 2nd/3rd tier team just to get the biggest deal. I don't think he was ever going to pick Toronto or Detroit.

I think his pecking order was:
1. Astros if we would pony up to his desires
2. Otherwise BOS
3. NYY or other big market fit
4. ???????

He was stuck in number 4 until Boston finally made an offer he was happy with.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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In the end, it was what most of us thought. Bregman is too competitive to go play for a 2nd/3rd tier team just to get the biggest deal. I don't think he was ever going to pick Toronto or Detroit.

I think his pecking order was:
1. Astros if we would pony up to his desires
2. Otherwise BOS
3. NYY or other big market fit
4. ???????

He was stuck in number 4 until Boston finally made an offer he was happy with.

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Genuinely don't believe we were his #1 option. Gut feeling

The expectation is Alex Bregman will play second base for Boston, sources tell ESPN. Even though the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell coming, they saw Bregman having enough of an impact that they offered $40 million a year — with deferrals — to make the deal happen.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025

Glad we didn't overpay him

I'll take one!

So what's next for us? Would Arenado walk back his rejection? I think he's an offensive anchor but maybe his defense makes it palatable. Find a trade partner for a left handed outfielder?

the Red Sox are paying Bregman $40 MM per season? oh my

at least its only 3 years

So happy the Astros didn't overpay. Bregs was great here, but not $40MM great.

so Bregman's signing supports several theories:

- the Astros extend the players they want to keep

- most free agents end up changing teams

- Bregman was not (perhaps never) planning to return to Houston

Farmer1906 said:

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The expectation is Alex Bregman will play second base for Boston, sources tell ESPN. Even though the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell coming, they saw Bregman having enough of an impact that they offered $40 million a year — with deferrals — to make the deal happen.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025

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Gold glove defender?

Here, come play a new position

With Alex Bregman signing with Boston, the #Cardinals are expected to ramp up Nolan Arenado trade talks with the #Yankees, per @JohnDenton555. pic.twitter.com/TXUGctQGkd

— Bronx Bombers News (@NewsBronx) February 13, 2025

I am so glad we didn't do that deal. The Red Sox made a terrible mistake that I hope I get to laugh at all next season. As for rooting for Bregman? He did great things while he was here. I appreciate him for that. But he didn't want to be here anymore and he isn't. He wants to go be reunited with the former chief of the cheating operation. I won't boo him…but I do hope he starts the season under .200 for the first two months and gets to hear the Boston boo birds for months.

$40 Million per year for a .768 OPS hitter with declining stats is something I did not expect on my bingo card this year for Bregman. I wonder how much of that is deferred so we can get a better value of the contract. If it's significantly deferred, the deal doesn't look anywhere near as lucrative from an AAV standpoint for Bregman.

And ultimately I don't think it was a win for Bregman at all. Clearly, he waited until the very last minute. Players with good contracts usually don't have drama like this, they sign quickly. He did not get the 7 years, $200 million he expected. He guarantees only $120M, with the ability to test free agency again. However, after three years is up he will be 34 years old. How likely is it that Bregman gets more than $17M per year at that point for the next three years to match the $170M offer? I seriously doubt it.

Thanks for the memories, but I am glad we did not sign him - I was reluctant at the current $156M offer, if only because while it would improve our chances in 2025, it would probably be an anchor in terms of money down the road. And we do not have a need for a declining 3B with Peredes and Cam Smith waiting.

Better for us to use that money elsewhere and improve areas of higher need. And no - I will absolutely NOT be rooting for him to succeed after signing with a rival team in the AL East. I hope the Red Sox come to despise this contract and he does nothing but strike out, or bloop out for a weak flyball like he did most of the season for us in 2024.

The drama with Devers is going to make the Pressly/Hader drama look like a walk in the park. I'm all in for the popcorn to see how that plays out....

It's a BIG difference 3rd v 2nd. Can he play patient 2nd? 3rd is rapid react & hammer throw, 2nd is often fundamental pick & toss. IMO, he will thrive at 2B in Boston for the length of his contract.

The six-year, ~$170 million offer from the #Tigers to Alex Bregman also included an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. https://t.co/D3QwUeTcOU

— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 13, 2025