The Boston Red Sox are entering this offseason with one unmistakable priority finding clarity at third base. Ever since the front office declared its intentions back in October, all signs have pointed toward their biggest decision revolving around the future of Alex Bregman. The veteran infielder, who joined Boston last winter, quickly became an influential presence both on and off the field. His production, leadership, and intensity resonated with the Red Sox clubhouse, giving the franchise stability and experience at a position that had seen constant change in recent years.
However, Bregman’s contract came with a pivotal detail: an opt-out clause after his first season. That clause now looms large over Boston’s offseason. While Bregman has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Fenway Park, the fact remains that he is now back on the open market, free to negotiate with any team willing to meet his price. The Red Sox, for their part, have publicly voiced interest in bringing him back — but the financial and long-term commitment required could prove to be a significant hurdle.
At 31 years old, Bregman is still very much in his prime. He remains one of baseball’s most disciplined hitters, a reliable defender at the hot corner, and a respected veteran capable of mentoring a younger roster. Yet for the Red Sox, committing to a long-term deal that stretches six or more years could be risky. Historically, Boston’s front office has been cautious about lengthy contracts for players entering their thirties. That same hesitation might come into play again this winter, especially as other organizations line up with more aggressive offers.
Several contenders are expected to pursue Bregman, including the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers. All four clubs have a mix of need, financial flexibility, and competitive urgency that makes them viable suitors. If even one of them is willing to meet Bregman’s likely asking price projected to exceed $180 million it could spell the end of his brief but productive tenure in Boston.
That possibility leaves the Red Sox with a crucial question: if Bregman walks, who steps in as his replacement at third base? The Boston Herald’s coverage of the situation suggests that the answer might lie in free agency, where a handful of power-hitting veterans are available. Among them, one name stands out Eugenio Suarez.
A Familiar Offensive Profile: Eugenio Suarez’s Potential Fit
Suarez, a proven slugger known for his raw power and high-energy play, fits the mold of what Boston may be looking for offensively. He’s a player who can change the game with one swing, capable of delivering 40-plus home runs in a season — something the Red Sox lineup has lacked from the right side since J.D. Martinez’s departure. However, as with any acquisition, there are tradeoffs. Suarez’s glove has long been a concern. Defensively, he ranks below average at third base, and his range and throwing consistency have been declining in recent seasons.
In that sense, signing Suarez would bring Boston back to a familiar dilemma — similar to the one they faced with Rafael Devers before his trade to San Francisco. In Devers, the Red Sox had a left-handed slugger whose bat made up for his defensive shortcomings. Suarez, while older and right-handed, presents a comparable dynamic: significant offensive value offset by defensive vulnerability.
Still, the cost of adding Suarez is far more manageable than what the team paid (and would have to pay again) for elite-level third basemen like Devers or Bregman. Salary projections vary Spotrac estimates a two-year, $30 million contract, while The Athletic predicts something closer to a three-year, $69 million deal. Either way, Suarez would require less long-term commitment and provide an immediate offensive boost, which could make him a logical short-term solution.
Boston Herald beat writer Mac Cerullo summarized the situation bluntly: “The only other third baseman who would meaningfully move the needle is Eugenio Suarez. The 34-year-old hit 49 home runs with 118 RBI and an .824 OPS this past season, so he’d help bring some badly needed right-handed power to the lineup, but he’d also represent a significant downgrade defensively from both Bregman and Mayer.”
That assessment captures Boston’s current predicament they can replace Bregman’s offensive output only by sacrificing some defensive reliability. But for a Red Sox team that struggled to generate consistent power in 2025, the trade-off might be worth it.
The Internal Option: Marcelo Mayer’s Readiness
The Red Sox could also turn inward for a solution. Top prospect Marcelo Mayer, long viewed as the organization’s shortstop of the future, made an intriguing impression when pressed into action at third base last season. Before his campaign was cut short by a wrist injury, Mayer showed surprising adaptability at the hot corner, flashing soft hands and the arm strength needed for the position.
The challenge, however, lies in his offensive development. Mayer hit just .228 across 44 major league games last year — a reminder that the transition from the minors to facing big-league pitching can be steep. That said, his minor-league track record remains encouraging: a .273 average and an .826 OPS over multiple levels, suggesting that with time and health, he could evolve into a doubles-hitting threat with 15-20 home run potential.
If the Red Sox were to hand the position to Mayer full-time, it would signal a long-term developmental focus rather than a win-now mindset. Moving from Devers to Bregman to Mayer in consecutive seasons would represent a clear step back offensively, and it’s difficult to imagine Boston’s front office accepting that outcome unless they plan to upgrade elsewhere particularly in the starting rotation or outfield power spots.
Still, Mayer remains a critical piece of the team’s future. If Boston can supplement his bat with additional run producers elsewhere in the lineup, giving him the reins at third might not be out of the question. His defensive stability and baseball IQ could compensate for the lack of power, at least temporarily.
Exploring the Trade Market
If the Red Sox decide against signing Suarez and remain hesitant to rely solely on Mayer, the next logical step would be to explore the trade market. Yet that path is fraught with challenges. Cerullo and other local reporters have pointed out that there are no obvious trade targets who can both replace Bregman’s production and fit Boston’s roster needs.
Nolan Arenado, a name long linked to the Red Sox in trade speculation, continues to surface as a potential option. But his 2025 performance raises red flags: a .237 batting average and just 12 home runs. Though still an elite defender, his offensive decline makes him a questionable fit for a team already in need of more pop.
Other potential trade candidates include Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers, Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Each offers a different blend of skills Jung’s power, Bohm’s contact approach, and Donovan’s versatility but acquiring any of them would come at a steep price. The Red Sox would likely have to part with key prospects or young pitchers, which contradicts their stated offseason plan to use their trade capital to bolster the starting rotation.
Given those constraints, a trade for a position player like a third baseman seems unlikely unless another team unexpectedly makes one available. The more plausible outcome, at least for now, is that Boston pursues a stopgap free agent while continuing to develop Mayer for the long term.
The Balancing Act Ahead
Ultimately, this offseason poses a philosophical question for the Red Sox: should they double down on proven veterans to stay competitive immediately, or prioritize sustainable roster building even if it means taking a temporary step backward?
If they re-sign Bregman, they retain stability, leadership, and a high on-base bat in the heart of the order. If they pivot to Suarez, they gain home-run power and payroll flexibility at the cost of defense and long-term security. If they hand the reins to Mayer, they accelerate the youth movement and gamble on potential over experience.
Each path carries risk and each will shape Boston’s identity for years to come.
For fans, the uncertainty surrounding Bregman’s future is both exciting and nerve-wracking. His brief stint in Boston proved that he could thrive under the pressure of Fenway Park and the scrutiny of Red Sox Nation. Losing him to a deep-pocketed rival like the Yankees or Dodgers would sting, but it would also force the front office to commit fully to a new direction one that either leans into youth or redistributes financial resources to other areas of need, such as pitching.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: this winter will be pivotal for Boston’s long-term trajectory. Whether the front office decides to bring Bregman back, pursue Suarez, or promote Mayer, the Red Sox must balance short-term competitiveness with their future vision.
And as the market heats up, all eyes will be on Fenway Park waiting to see if the team that once took a bold swing to sign Bregman will do so again, or if a new era at third base is about to begin.
