Craig Breslow Provides Update On Alex Bregman Contract Talks

Many of the greatest teams in Boston Red Sox history have been defined by the clubhouse-changing influence of a special type of player who hasn’t been afraid to lead by example and knows how to push his team to be great on the field day in and day out throughout a 162-game season.

Red Sox legends such as Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Millar, Jason Varitek and David Ortiz all provided clubhouse leadership that transformed a roster comprised of dramatically different personalities by instilling a sense of pride in wearing a Red Sox uniform, which ultimately contributed to a World Series-winning culture.

As Red Sox ownership learned the hard way earlier this season, those intangibles don’t always translate when it comes to the highest-paid player on the team. Insecure and unwilling to help his team on the field following the free agent signing of third baseman Alex Bregman, the Red Sox front office opted to trade slugger Rafael Devers before he could have a negative influence on the team’s blossoming young core.

On the other hand, Bregman proved he was the total opposite in the clubhouse. Willing to play anywhere and do whatever it takes for the Red Sox to win, the 31-year-old former two-time World Series champion quickly forged relationships with the team’s top prospects, Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell in spring training.

While his impact in the dugout has provided the type of veteran leadership the team has noticeably lacked over the last couple of seasons, his play on the field has also impressed. Named to the American League All-Star team, Bregman is batting .295 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 79 games this season.

Signed to a three-year $130 million deal he can opt out of at the end of the next two seasons, there’s been plenty of speculation regarding Bregman and the Red Sox working on renegotiating the terms of his contract and keeping the three-time All-Star in Boston long-term.

Appearing as a guest on MLB Now, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was asked about where the team currently stands in contract extension talks with Bregman.

“We’ll continue to watch that situation unfold and have the conversations that we need to have with Alex, kind of as appropriate and when appropriate,” said Breslow. “But right now, Alex’s focus is on the field. Our focus is on putting our team in the best position that we can to win games, and he has been everything that we could have hoped that he would be, both on the field and in terms of the impact that he’s had in the clubhouse and on some of these other young guys that we just talked about.”

Pressed further by MLB Now host Brian Kenney about whether or not the team has spoken to Bregman or his representatives, Breslow refused to budge regarding possible extension talks between the two sides.

“I think it’s best to keep that internal right now,” responded Breslow. “But the conversations between Alex and me are great, and we talk about a whole host of things. I’m sure a lot of people are wondering, but I think it’s best to keep those conversations in-house for right now.”