There was initially some optimism that a recent high-profile MLB move could improve the Red Sox’s chances of landing Alex Bregman, but the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
On Sunday, the Detroit Tigers reportedly signed Jack Flaherty, one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency. The move came just hours after ESPN’s Buster Olney shared an update, suggesting that if Detroit didn’t secure Bregman, they would shift their focus to Flaherty. The Tigers had previously been considered a strong contender for Bregman, and it seemed as though they were prioritizing the third baseman in their efforts to improve their roster.
However, the signing of Flaherty doesn’t necessarily mean the Tigers are out of the Bregman race. Shortly after the news of Flaherty’s deal, Olney shared a follow-up report, stating that Detroit is still pursuing Bregman. In fact, Olney mentioned that the Tigers, after bolstering their pitching staff with Flaherty, are among the teams still actively going after the star third baseman.
This is a significant update for the Red Sox, who are also in the mix to acquire Bregman. While the addition of Flaherty seemed to suggest that Detroit might pivot away from Bregman in favor of focusing on pitching, it now looks like the Tigers are not limiting their targets to just one area of need. Instead, they are continuing to pursue Bregman alongside their recent pitching acquisition.
For the Red Sox, this news may come as a bit of a setback. The team had been hoping that the Tigers’ focus on Flaherty would lessen the competition for Bregman. While it’s still unclear where Detroit stands in terms of the likelihood of landing Bregman, it’s clear that they are very much still in the race. The Tigers are showing a strong commitment to improving both their pitching staff and their lineup, which could make them a formidable competitor for the Red Sox.
The Detroit Free Press’s Evan Petzold also reported that the Tigers remain interested in Bregman despite having added Flaherty, confirming Olney’s report. This only heightens the stakes for the Red Sox, who now face more competition in their pursuit of one of the league’s top third basemen.
In the end, the race for Bregman is far from over, and the Red Sox will need to be strategic if they hope to land him. With Detroit still in the hunt, it will be interesting to see how this rivalry between the two teams plays out as they both look to improve their rosters ahead of the new season.