MLB Trade Rumors: Detroit Tigers declined Alex Bregman counter offer
Prior to Alex Bregman joining the Red Sox, the Tigers had a real opportunity to win the Alex Bregman sweepstakes.
Alex Bregman is officially a member of the Boston Red Sox regardless of the position he plays. The club is glad to have him on board even though his entrance undoubtedly complicates their infield situation, especially in light of the fact that he might have, in hindsight, taken his skills elsewhere.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post talked about the Bregman bidding war that Boston ultimately won on FanSided's The Baseball Insiders podcast. He pointed out that teams like the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, in particular, had an opportunity to sign the two-time All-Star.
Heyman thinks that if the Cubs had made a more aggressive offer, they would have had "a good chance" of acquiring Bregman. But according to reports, Chicago "didn't come close" to fulfilling the demands of the former Houston Astros center. The Tigers, meantime, made things intriguing for Boston, although they reportedly set a limit on how much they would spend.
According to baseball insiders, the Tigers turned down Alex Bregman's counter offer.
The Tigers "came pretty close" to Bregman's asking price, in contrast to the Cubs. Heyman points to a $2 million difference in average yearly value between the star infielder's counteroffer and Detroit's six-year, $171 million bid.
Heyman said of Bregman, "He would've gone there if [the Tigers] had gone to, let's say $183 [million] instead of $171 [million]."
Bregman voluntarily left money on the table to wager on himself instead. He committed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox, with the option to opt out following the 2025 and 2026 Major League Baseball seasons.
Heyman mentions Bregman's apparent preference for Boston over Detroit. The ability to go back to the open market and look for another paycheck is also alluring. The two-time World Series winner was, however, amenable to joining the Tigers—at a price.
Bregman was offered more money and long-term security by the Tigers, who made a strong attempt to sign him, but the Red Sox won.
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