Red Sox Predicted to Lose $200 Million All-Star Slugger to Hated AL Rival

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Free agent third baseman Alex Bregman is the best position player still available on the open market. With the Houston Astros not appearing to be overly interested in a reunion, the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have reportedly emerged as favorites to land the two-time All-Star slugger.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman cited old Astros connections as reasons why these two teams could be seen as favorites for Bregman.

"The Tigers, with his old Astros manager A.J. Hinch, and Red Sox, with his old Astros coach Alex Cora, have often been linked to this terrific all-around third baseman with a big postseason resume," Heyman wrote.

Spending the first nine years of his MLB career in Houston has yielded Bregman plenty of opportunities to play in the postseason. Bregman is a two-time World Series champion. He's also appeared in 99 playoff games and owns a .789 OPS in October to go along with 19 home runs and 54 RBI.

Both the Red Sox and Tigers could use a player like him. Who will land the right-handed slugger, though? Yardbarker's Colin Cerniglia is predicting Detroit will win these sweepstakes.

"The Detroit Tigers, seeking to boost their offense and return to the playoffs, will reunite Bregman with former manager A.J. Hinch," Cerniglia wrote.

Spotrac has projected Bregman's market value at four years and $119 million. However, the Scott Boras client is aiming much higher. Bregman's camp is currently holding out for a $200 million guarantee, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

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