Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The wait is finally over. On Wednesday, All-Star infielder Alex Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, ending his long free agency saga.After months of waiting, Bregman finally found his next home, joining the Red Sox who suddenly have a real shot at winning the loaded American League East division.More news: Dodgers Could Trade $15 Million All-Star Following Kiké Hernandez SigningBregman’s contract is for three years and $120 million with opt-outs after the first two years. While Bregman wanted a long-term deal, instead, he settled for a massive $40 million average annual value, with the opportunity to rejoin the free agent market after his first or second season in Boston.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 02: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros runs to first base after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during Game Two of the Wild Card…
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 02: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros runs to first base after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on October 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
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Bregman, 30, will play for a new organization for the first time as a professional.Bregman was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2015 and spent his entire nine-year career in Houston. However, after rejecting a six-year, $156 million deal offer from the Astros earlier in free agency, the team pivoted, and it was clear Bregman was going to play elsewhere in 2025.Then, the door was slightly re-opened for Bregman last month, with longtime veteran Jose Altuve even offering to move to left field to allow Bregman to play second base.Most recently, though, Astros general manager Dana Brown spoke about Bregman in the past tense, saying the team “lost” him in free agency. Now, that has finally come to fruition.Bregman was by far the best remaining player in free agency, and finally finds a home.Bregman, a friend and fellow horse owner with former Los Angeles Dodgers and current Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler, was being recruited to Boston ever since Buehler signed.”I have certainly made a pitch all over the place for him to come to Boston,” Buehler said during his introductory video call. “He and I have been buddies for a long time. We played on Team USA together a little bit in college.”As for the horses?”Being from Lexington (Kentucky), the horse stuff is something that I’ve always been super interested in,” Buehler explained. “Alex got into it a few years ago. I know he has some family ties with it. I got involved in this horse and there was some more of the horse that could have been purchased. So he was the one guy I called and he opted in. The horse won at Santa Anita in his first time with us. We’re pretty fired up about it.”Now, Bregman and Buehler will be teammates in Boston on a team that is suddenly a serious threat in the AL.In addition to Buehler and Bregman, the Red Sox also traded for left-handed ace Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox, who went 81-81 in 2024, are much better positioned to make a run in 2025.Bregman is a two-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove award winner, and two-time World Series champion with the Astros.He’s coming off a 2024 season in which he slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 runs batted in.On the same night Boston’s own free agent Nick Pivetta signed with the San Diego Padres — with the Red Sox receiving draft compensation for losing him — they made the last big splash of the offseason.For more MLB news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
