On Wednesday evening, the Boston Red Sox made headlines by securing star infielder Alex Bregman in a lucrative three-year agreement worth $120 million.

This move saw Boston outmaneuver competitors, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, to acquire the two-time World Series champion. With an average annual salary of $40 million and two opt-out clauses, Bregman brings the powerful right-handed bat the Red Sox required.

In contrast, the Tigers opted to re-sign free-agent pitcher Jack Flaherty, whom they traded to the eventual World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. Despite missing out on Bregman, Detroit’s general manager Scott Harris remains optimistic about his team’s potential.

“We want players who genuinely want to be here,” Harris remarked to reporters, as reported by Evan Petzold from the Detroit Free Press. “I emphasize this frequently because it’s crucial to us. We made a robust offer to Alex Bregman, but he decided to sign elsewhere, which we anticipated and prepared for.”

Last year, the Tigers showcased their talent by advancing to the American League Division Series, having triumphed over Bregman’s previous team, the Astros, in the wild-card round. Harris was keen to remind everyone of that achievement following Bregman’s choice to join Boston.

“We will thrive without Alex Bregman. Our clubhouse just made it to the postseason and managed to defeat a team that included Bregman, so we know it’s completely achievable,” Harris added.

The Red Sox are set to face off against the Tigers in May and will host them at Fenway Park during the final series of the regular season.