Recently, Alex Bregman decided to join the Red Sox, but the Tigers were also in the mix. Reports say Detroit put a six-year, $171.5 million offer on the table, with a two-year opt-out and some deferred payments. Evan Petzold from the Detroit Free Press shared more insights about the discussions between the Tigers and Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras.
The Tigers’ offer included $40 million in deferrals, making it less attractive compared to Bregman’s final agreement with the Red Sox. While Bregman signed for $120 million over three years with Boston, that deal also came with deferred payments totaling $60 million.
Despite turning down the Tigers’ offer, Bregman’s team made a couple of counter-proposals. One was for $200 million over seven years, translating to an average annual value (AAV) of about $28.6 million. The other was for $186 million over six years, giving an AAV of $31 million, with an opt-out after the 2025 season. Notably, neither of these bids involved deferred payments.
The asks in these counter-offers were in line with what Bregman was aiming for during free agency. Earlier in the offseason, he and the Astros were at a stalemate. Houston had offered him $156 million over six years, but Bregman wanted something closer to $200 million, as he was not keen on reducing his AAV.
In his last two years with the Astros, Bregman earned $28.5 million annually. Since the Tigers’ offer’s deferred payment structure would lower its AAV below what he had been aiming for, they eventually didn’t meet his expectations.
Looking at short-term contracts, players often trade some long-term security for the chance to earn more now. Reports had suggested Bregman was hesitant to take such a path, but without fitting offers, he opted for the Red Sox deal instead. The deal’s AAV of $40 million will be considered $31.7 million for competitive balance tax purposes, thanks to the deferrals, allowing Bregman to boost his earnings from his last contract.
It’s uncertain whether this decision will pay off in the long run. Last year, several players, including Blake Snell and Matt Chapman, opted for short-term contracts before landing lucrative deals. Chapman, for instance, initially earned $54 million over three years but later extended his contract with the Giants for six years and $151 million. Snell, after opting out of a two-year deal worth $62 million, landed a $182 million contract with the Dodgers.
On the other hand, the outcomes for Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery remain less clear. Bellinger signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs and is now with the Yankees, while Montgomery only guaranteed himself $25 million but managed to bump that to $22.5 million with performance incentives.
Bregman also has opt-outs each year in his new deal. He clearly knows his worth and aimed high in his negotiations. Although he didn’t get everything he wanted, he can try again in about eight months. The Tigers, though missing out on Bregman, have shown they are willing to spend more than they used to under their new president of baseball operations, Scott Harris. Under his leadership, they’ve avoided long-term commitments, with no free agent signing a deal longer than two years.
Even though they didn’t secure Bregman, this negotiation suggests that the Tigers are open to longer commitments if the right opportunity arises. Depending on how the year unfolds, they might circle back to Bregman next winter if he opts out. The performance of young infielders such as Colt Keith, Jace Jung, Trey Sweeney, and Spencer Torkelson could influence how aggressively the Tigers pursue another big infield addition.
Check out this related article: Quinn Hughes Sets to Boost U.S. Team in Boston for Thrilling 4 Nations Final Against Canada!
Source linkalex bregman
