red Sox Fans May Face Unappealing Alternatives if Alex Bregman Deal Falls Through
Boston Red sox fans are widely anticipating the club’s efforts to re-sign star infielder Alex Bregman this offseason.However, a new report outlines potential “Plan B” scenarios should those efforts fail, and the options aren’t likely to excite the fanbase.
While a return for Bregman feels probable, free agency remains unpredictable, even when a clear mutual fit exists. Bleacher Report’s MLB writer, Kerry Miller, recently detailed choice strategies for the Red Sox in the event Bregman signs elsewhere, focusing on international prospects and a potential shift in positional needs.
Miller’s primary backup plan centers around pursuing sluggers currently playing in Japan – either Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto. However, he acknowledges a significant defensive concern with both players at third base. “The problem with that plan is that neither Japanese slugger is anything close to a sure thing on the defensive side of the hot corner equation,” Miller wrote on Sunday.
To mitigate this, Miller suggests potentially moving either Murakami or Okamoto to first base and hoping for development from prospect Marcelo Mayer at third. Another, more appealing option presented by Miller is signing New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and addressing the third base position via trade later in the season.
“If they’re fine with that option, though, maybe the actual replacement for Bregman’s right-handed bat in the lineup is signing Pete Alonso to play first and just embracing the possibility that third base needs to be addressed at the trade deadline,” Miller noted.
