After navigating his initial experience as a free agent, Alex Bregman is gearing up for another potential move after this season.

The Boston Red Sox have solidified their lineup by signing the third baseman to a three-year contract worth $120 million, as reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This agreement includes opt-out clauses following the first and second years, essentially framing it as a “pillow deal” for a player whose free agency did not unfold as optimally as planned.

Ranked fourth on Yahoo Sports’ list of top 50 free agents this winter, Bregman was the last significant player available, highlighting how no MLB teams were willing to meet the demands showcased by his agent, Scott Boras. Reports indicate that Bregman received multiple offers extending six years and exceeding $170 million.

This situation mirrors the experiences of some of Boras’ clients last year, where many opted for shorter contracts with a high average annual value that included opt-outs. While this approach worked well for players like Matt Chapman and Blake Snell, it was less beneficial for others such as Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery.

The hesitation from teams to sign Bregman can be attributed to his age and a subpar performance in 2024, which raised concerns with several underlying metrics. Having previously secured a six-year, $100 million extension in 2019, Bregman enters this new contract at 30, soon to turn 31 at the end of March.

Concerns regarding his production in 2024 were evident, particularly in his plate discipline. Bregman’s chase rate of 23.6% was the highest since 2017, while his swing rate reached 44.9%, marking the highest since 2016. This change contributed to his escalating strikeout rate of 13.6%, the highest for a complete season since 2017. In addition, his walk rate dropped significantly from 12.7% in 2023 to 6.9% in 2024, resulting in a .315 on-base percentage—the lowest since his rookie season.

With Bregman approaching 31 years old at the beginning of the 2025 season, such performance declines are not uncommon. His focus now will be on achieving a successful season with the Red Sox to bolster his standing for next year’s free agency.

Given that the Red Sox already feature Rafael Devers, a younger player with a more substantial contract who performed better in 2024, sources suggest Bregman is expected to transition to playing second base, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Throughout his career, Bregman has played various positions, including shortstop, second base, and left field, though he hasn’t played in these roles since 2019. Kristian Campbell is also versatile and could contend for the shortstop position, possibly displacing Trevor Story, or may even take on centerfield duties.