Why Alex Bregman Could Force Hand In Potential Red Sox-Cardinals Deal

The Boston Red Sox are seemingly playing the clock on their mission to find an impact right-handed bat.

Nolan Arenado’s trade market has yet to bring the St. Louis Cardinals to a deal and MLB Network’s Jon Morosi certainly didn’t provide any optimism on an upcoming agreement.

Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is one of the top bats left with a market that’s rolled to a red light. That’s not to say that light won’t turn green before spring training, but moves have to happen for the Red Sox and other clubs and will need pivot decisions if the player chooses elsewhere.

Boston’s roster is incomplete, and the need to add a veteran, impact bat to the lineup remains visible. If the talk of the offseason to make that addition falls through, the Red Sox are in a tough spot to ask too much out of emerging prospects such as Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell.

Boston hasn’t gone all-in on Arenado and St. Louis has yet to feel good enough about an offer to execute. If Bregman chooses another suitor, could pure need for both teams lead to the ice finally breaking in the Arenado saga to bring the Red Sox and Cardinals to a potentially uncomfortable yet necessary trade?

The Red Sox host the Cardinals in the home opener at Fenway Park on Friday, April 4. Will Arenado take the field in Boston one way or the other?