All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman is the best player available in MLB free agency but he’s still waiting for a team to offer him the lucrative contract he sought out when the offseason began. With spring training fast approaching, it appears Bregman isn’t backing down from his contract demands.
When the winter started, Bregman reportedly sought a deal worth $200-plus million in total value that would make him one of the highest-paid MLB players in 2025. However, much like All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, he never found a club willing to even approach the asking price.
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- Alex Bregman stats (ESPN): .260/.315/.453, .768 OPS, 26 home runs, 75 RBI
In the weeks that followed, teams linked to Bregman in MLB rumors quickly pivoted to other options. The reigning Gold Glove Award winner still has four suitors – Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs – but none are offering the kind of deal he wants. Two might also be out of the mix altogether if his demands aren’t lowered.
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Bregman is still adamant about receiving a six- or seven-year contract and has “no interest” in accepting a short-term contract.
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Alonso was in a similar position, seeking a $200-plus million contract at the start of the offseason before settling for a two-year, $54 million contract this week. He’ll make $30 million in 2025 and can then opt out of his contract following the season.
- Alex Bregman career earnings (Spotrac): $108 million
Even with spring training closing in, Bregman has no interest in a short-term deal, even one with an opt-out clause after the 2025 season. As a result, his stance could rule out two of his suitors and significantly shrink his leverage in contract negotiations.
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The Red Sox are reportedly unwilling to go past four years on a multi-year deal with Bregman, preferring a deal that would only pay him for the next three seasons. Meanwhile, the Cubs like Bregman but have no interest in locking themselves into a long-term deal that would stretch for five-plus seasons.
If Bregman is adamant about landing a six-year deal heading into his age-31 season, he’ll likely have to settle for a lower average annual value over that span and sign with either the Tigers or Astros. For now, though, a deal isn’t imminent with any club.
