Alex Bregman’s free company nightmare has lastly come to an finish. Regardless of pledging to not settle for a short-term deal, the 30-year-old lately signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Purple Sox. Bregman’s new deal has two opt-outs after the primary and second seasons and has a mean annual worth of $40 million. The contract additionally comprises $40 million in deferred cash. Whereas Alex Bregman has principally performed third base all through his profession, the Gold Glove Award winner will play second base subsequent season. Given his statistical decline final season, Boston was performed for a idiot by Bregman’s agent Scott Boras and badly overpaid for a participant on the decline.
Alex Bregman Had A Sharp Statistical Decline In 2024
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In his stroll yr final season, Alex Bregman skilled a pointy statistical decline. He completed 2024 slashing .260/.315/.453 with 26 dwelling runs, 75 RBI, and a .768 OPS. This was nicely beneath his profession numbers. It was evident that the two-time World Collection champion was on the improper facet of 30. The Gold Glove winner additionally noticed his stroll price decline for the third season in a row. Taking walks was as soon as an enormous a part of Alex Bregman’s success all through his profession. This all occurred regardless of him enjoying dwelling video games at then-Minute Maid Park, the place the Crawford packing containers are heavenly for right-handed energy hitters. Earlier than final season, Alex Bregman had a house profession slash line of .270/369/.476 with 94 homers, 330 RBI, and a .845 OPS.
Alex Bregman Overvalued Himself This Offseason
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Regardless of the falloff, Alex Bregman was looking for a long-term deal in free company. He would possibly’ve been smarter to take a lesson from Pete Alonso about overvaluing himself. For many of the offseason, groups had been rightfully hesitant to signal the 30-year-old to a long-term pact given his statistical decline final season. This resulted within the two-time All-Star staying on the open market longer than anticipated. Earlier than turning into a free agent, Bregman beforehand turned down a six-year, $156 million extension from the Houston Astros final offseason.
Scott Boras Performed The Purple Sox For Fools
After a four-month wait, the previous Astro lastly had a staff. Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million take care of the Boston Purple Sox. His deal has a mean annual worth of $40 million and comprises two opt-outs within the first years of the contract. He additionally has $40 million in deferred cash on the deal as nicely. His AAV ties him with Aaron Choose for the fourth most within the league. Alongside the way in which, Bregman turned down long-term gives from each the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. Not solely did Boston get swindled by Scott Boras, however they’ve determined to maneuver Bregman over to second base. Even when the Purple Sox stored him at third base, the 30-year-old isn’t even the very best participant at his place. The previous Astros third baseman wasn’t even anticipated to command a wage this excessive.
Solely 4 Gamers Had An AAV As Excessive As Alex Bregman’s
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Earlier than Bregman signed his take care of the Purple Sox, solely 4 gamers had contracts with an AAV of $40 million or extra. These gamers had been Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Choose. Alex Bregman will not be in the identical stratosphere as these gamers. Heck, he isn’t even the very best participant at his place. Ohtani, Soto, Wheeler, and Choose are MVP and Cy Younger award contenders each season and are surefire all-stars. Bregman has solely been an all-star twice in his profession and hasn’t been chosen to the mid-summer traditional since 2019. Since ending second within the MVP race in 2019, Bregman has by no means been a critical contender since then. The best end he’s had is nineteenth which occurred in 2022.
The Purple Sox Are Paying Alex Bregman For 2018 and 2019
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Whereas nonetheless a strong participant, Alex Bregman is not a famous person. Boston is now paying the 30-year-old for the participant he was from 2018-2019 not what Bregman is now. He confirmed final season that his profession gave the impression to be on the decline. On high of that, Bregman might be studying tips on how to play second base for the primary time in his profession. The Purple Sox are apparently advantageous with paying a participant on the decline fairly than a perennial MVP candidate like Mookie Betts. Alex Bregman’s contract has the potential to change into a three-year nightmare. Purple Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow had a drink spiked by Scott Boras at this free-agent occasion.
This Contract Received’t Age Properly
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The Boston Purple Sox signing of Alex Bregman is the most important overpay lately. Scott Boras performed Craig Breslow for a idiot. Alex Bregman is not a famous person, nevertheless, Boston determined to pay him like one. Not solely are the Purple Sox paying him for 2018 and 2019, however they need him to learn to play second base for the primary time. Final season, Bregman confirmed that he’s on the improper finish of the age of 30 and that his profession is on the decline. Until the 30-year-old by some means turns the clock again, this contract might change into a three-year nightmare for the Purple Sox.
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