Purple Sox going through worst-case state of affairs at third after shedding Alex Bregman

The Boston Purple Sox misplaced their third baseman on Saturday evening.

Free agent Alex Bregman reportedly agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal reportedly features a no-trade clause and doesn’t give Bregman the choice to choose out.

Bregman had a robust 2025 in Boston, posting a .273/.360/.462 batting line over his 495 plate appearances, hitting 18 homers and 28 doubles. That efficiency led to Bregman opting out of the ultimate two years and $80 million of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed with the Purple Sox throughout the 2024-25 offseason. Bregman’s manufacturing and locker room presence reportedly led the Purple Sox to think about retaining their third baseman as a precedence.

Boston Purple Sox don’t have many choices left at third

As a substitute, the Purple Sox at the moment are within the unenviable place of scrambling to discover a third baseman. NPB imports Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto signed with the White Sox and Blue Jays, respectively. Shortstop Bo Bichette is a possible choice at third base however has by no means performed the place in his profession. 

The Purple Sox have few choices to enhance the roster at third. Eugenio Suarez is the most suitable choice left in free company, having posted a .228/.298/.526 batting line with 49 homers and 28 doubles in his 657 plate appearances between the Diamondbacks and Mariners. Whereas Suarez would convey extra energy to the Purple Sox lineup, his protection at third is mediocre at finest and can be a big downgrade from Bregman.

The most suitable choice could also be a commerce. The Purple Sox have been linked to Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, who has carried out properly defensively at third in his restricted time on the scorching nook. The Cardinals are additionally procuring third baseman Nolan Arenado and will probably think about a commerce together with him with Donovan. Such a deal would clear up a pair of issues in Boston: discovering a second baseman whereas filling their new gap at third.