Scott Boras, though, was more than happy to offer his assessment.
The Red Sox, he said, see immediately as the time to strike.
“They see something they didn’t see following ‘24. The ownership was rewarded for their investment in ‘25,” said Boras, agent to Bregman. “They’ve got a lot of young players who have made commitments that are very advantageous to the team. And so they’re in a position to be very aggressive in the free agent market because of the underpinnings of their work earlier in the year with their younger players. So I fully expect they have a strong ‘go’ sign [for] what they’re going to do in ‘26.”
Boras was referencing the contract extensions signed by Garrett Crochet (six years and $170 million) and Roman Anthony (eight years and $130 million), which provide cost certainty and ― if those players produce as the Red Sox expect ― bona fide bargains.
In theory, that leaves the Sox with plenty of financial room to add.
“We showed last year a willingness to be decisive and bold,” Breslow said. “And it’s really important that we take another step forward this year.”
Could the Sox bring back Bregman in addition to acquiring the big bat Breslow cited as a priority earlier in the week?
“We could,” he said. “We’re going to be open to every conceivable option to improving the team. Specifically what that looks like or who the names are that fill those roles, we’ll see.”
During Boras’s media session Wednesday ― a periodic occasion that is part news conference, part sales pitch, part standup routine ― he made a coffee-based speech about Bregman and the Red Sox.
You could even say he perked right up when asked about him.
“In Boston, prior to ‘25, they had a lot of lineup do-not holes. And certainly prior to ‘25, Boston has been a club that’s been Dunkin’ well below the playoff line,” Boras said. “I think it was a bad roast in Beantown. And certainly give the owners credit. In ‘25, they went out and spent some star bucks to bring in a Bregman blend that led them to the playoffs.
“I’m sure the Boston fans don’t want this to be just a cup of coffee. And no one wants a Breg-xit.”
Bregman opted out of the final two seasons of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed in February. That flexible, short-term arrangement was a product of Bregman’s market, weighed down by the presence of the qualifying offer that penalized the team that signed him. So Boras doesn’t expect a similar resolution this time around.
“The idea of what we did contractually with him last year was to make sure that he and [wife] Reagan understood where they’re going to be living with their family, what the potential of it was, knew the owners, that kind of thing, could really see them eye to eye. I think it all went positive,” Boras said, adding that Bregman sees “a lot more promise” in the Red Sox.
“I’m not going to discuss contract terms, but it’s a way different market when you don’t have a qualifying offer. You just have a lot more teams [interested]. Way more.”
Elsewhere in the realm of potential Boras/Sox crossover this offseason, the agent indicated that first baseman Pete Alonso is open to spending time at DH beginning in 2026, particularly in the right situation/for a winning team.
That is relevant in the context of Alonso’s poor advanced defensive metrics and the Sox’ openings at first base and DH. It makes him look like an even better fit.
“Pete at this point is about winning, no doubt,” Boras said. “[Teams inquiring about Alonso] all talk about his durability. He’s a guy that really has a nature about him where it’s just his duty, no matter how he feels or what he does, to be on the field.”
As for righthander Tatsuya Imai: He is scheduled to be made available to major league clubs by his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, via the posting system on Nov. 19, Boras said.
Imai, 27, had a 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 163⅔ innings last season.
“He loves big markets,” Boras said, referencing the teams that are, of course, most able/likely to offer a nine-figure contract. “We go through a list of places that he may want to play, and believe me, he is someone who really wants to be on a winning team, compete at the highest level.”
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.
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