The chase for Alex Bregman was the story of last offseason. For weeks, the baseball world was caught in a whirlwind of rumors and high-stakes drama, with insiders dropping hints and massive contract figures flying. When the dust finally settled on the intense bidding war, the Red Sox emerged as the unexpected winners. They locked down the coveted star for a three-year tenure at Fenway.

However, in baseball, a plot twist is always around the corner. Just when everyone thought Bregman’s future was settled, his latest comments have cracked the door wide open for another offseason saga.

Bregman has just returned from injury and is hitting .295. With the stage being set again, there’s a growing sense that we might be in for a near replay of last winter’s drama. Only this time, the script could be even wilder.

“Obviously, we’re open to talking [when the season is over]… But for the next few months, I’m just really focused on the baseball… Just want to do everything I can every day to try to help this team win games and keep my mind focused on that, preparing to play baseball,” Bregman told the Red Sox insider Tim Healey, as quoted by the podcaster Tyler Milliken on X.

So, right now, Bregman isn’t too keen on the contract talks. The reason? The Red Sox are rolling and right in the thick of a playoff push. And for Bregman, that’s where all his attention needs to be. The business side can wait.

Bregman signed with Boston in February on a three-year, $120 million deal. It has opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, which means he can, and many in baseball expect he will, test free agency again after this year.

Call it a coincidence, but this statement of Bregman has come at a time when the Red Sox have just had a big-ticket deal with Roman Anthony, who has been given an 8-year, $130 million extension. Now, securing Bregman for the long term would be the best option for the team.

However, considering Bregman’s willingness to delay the talk till the upcoming offseason, a huge free agency valuation can be projected for him!

Bregman is riding high on amplified projections

“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,” Red Sox’s baseball chief Craig Breslow said.

Well, Bregman was out of action for over a month with a quad strain. But you wouldn’t know it from the way he’s playing now. Since coming back, he’s been hitting .295 with 15 HRs. He’s a standout defensive third baseman and can also handle second base. In fact, he can probably hold his own at shortstop too, if needed. So, there’s an additional value to all these skills.

Last offseason, Bregman’s market value was a bit limited thanks to a low-key 2024 (26 HRs from 145 games) and a qualifying offer hanging over him. This time? It’s a totally different story. Enough for Bregman to hold the contract discussion for the next few months!

According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, Alex Bregman is in a position to command a free-agent contract in the range of $160 million. For the unversed, only a few position players like DJ LeMahieu and Freddie Freeman have landed deals of five years or more, starting at age 32. But Bregman can set a new high-water mark for a free agent starting at his age.

The fans will just enjoy the show this year because the offseason battle for Bregman is shaping up to be a real blockbuster.