How ESPN Graded Red Sox’s ‘Needle-Moving’ Alex Bregman Deal

The Red Sox were linked to plenty of big-name players this offseason that ultimately landed elsewhere.

That’s why it was surprising that the Red Sox reportedly agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract with Alex Bregman late Wednesday night.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the move concerns where Bregman will slot into the infield rather than whether the average annual value of $40 million per season makes sense for Boston.

There is an obvious upside to bringing Bregman aboard and weighing that against where he will play made ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield give this addition a B +.

“This is a terrific marriage of team, player, ballpark and fan base,” Doolittle wrote. “Bregman, who has some familial ties to Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams, will give the Red Sox a much-needed right-handed bat, coveted defensive versatility and an alpha presence in the clubhouse — one his new manager, Alex Cora, remembers quite well from his days as a coach in Houston.”

Doolittle added that Bregman’s right-handed addition to the top of the Red Sox order, after Jarren Duran and before Rafael Devers and Triston Casas — all lefty swingers — makes perfect sense. Where to put him defensively might give Cora and company fits, though.

With Trevor Story at short, the question becomes whether Bregman begins the season at second or if Devers moves from third to first. This has a trickle-down effect on Casas, Masataka Yoshida, Vaugh Grissosn, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.

“These are good problems to have! The Red Sox look like a much more complete team than they were yesterday,” Doolittle wrote. “With a pretty clean long-term payroll outlook, Bregman’s presence won’t hinder them that much down the line even if he does go into steep decline, which is unlikely. Boston’s preseason standing in the AL East improves, though they remain in a jumble of above-average, non-elite teams throughout the American League.”

One thing is for certain: the Red Sox definitely upgraded their roster this offseason. Boston should have a legitimate shot at rivaling the New York Yankees for the American League East title.