The Boston Red Sox recently made a bold move. Boston and Alex Bregman danced around each other all offseason. There were rumors tying the two sides together for months, but Boston didn’t end up signing him until February.

When Rafael Devers signed an 11-year extension with the Red Sox in 2023, he believed it came with the understanding he would be the team’s third baseman for the long term. Just two years into that deal, the Red Sox now have a better defensive third baseman on the roster in the newly signed Alex Bregman.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Bregman can easily take a pitch off the edge of the plate. He’s a picky hitter, one who will never deviate from his plan to swing at the right pitch. It’s a huge reason why Bregman has been able to carve out a nine-year Major League career that includes two All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger award.