The Boston Red Sox may have swept the struggling Washington Nationals and crept above .500. However, don’t be fooled, the team is still walking on thin ice. It’s tough to believe, but the team’s once-promising playoff hopes have taken a sharp U-turn. For Boston, this is bad—they have already missed the playoffs three times in a row. This season, things became grim with the loss of Rafael Devers‘s bat, which has seriously left a hole in the lineup.

To make matters worse, Alex Bregman, the former golden boy of the Astros, who was supposed to change things up for the Windy City, is still sidelined. To be fair, he did start hot for the Red Sox, batting .299 with a .938 OPS, 17 doubles, and 11 homers. But a quad strain took him out, and he hasn’t been on the field since.

The absence of Bregman’s bat has only magnified Boston’s post-Devers vulnerability, underscored by a lack of firepower and stability. This is where things get complicated. According to The Athletic, Bregman’s status with the Red Sox is “curious” as of now.

Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Chad Jennings of The Athletic penned, “Bregman is an unusual player with an unusual contract playing for an unusual team… The Red Sox are clinging to the edge of playoff viability, perhaps not eager to sell despite having already traded away Rafael Devers.” Boston is trying to extend Bregman, but if that fails, teams like the Mariners are circling. He also has opt-outs after this season!

With Boston’s playoff odds now down to 25.7%, the idea of trading Bregman is also not entirely off the table, even though he was meant to be Devers’ replacement. Plus, the Mariners, Cubs, and Tigers are being floated as good fits. Seattle could definitely use the veteran power that Bregman brings. He knows how to win, and this could be the trade that ends up making the difference for October. But for now, it seems like Boston might not want to sell. Plus, the Red Sox have some good reason to hold on to hopes for October, too.

Ceddanne Rafaela has been electric since late May. Also, Masataka Yoshida is coming back, and Garrett Crochet is giving awesome starts. But for sure, the question surrounding Bregman lingers like a storm cloud now. If he returns and isn’t 100% or worse, is dealt, then the Red Sox might be left in an even more precarious position. And above everything, the Sox need him, and so do the players!

Roman Anthony details why the Red Sox need Alex Bregman back

If there was any doubt about how much Alex Bregman matters to the Red Sox, Roman Anthony just put it into words. After the Sox rolled past the Rockies 9-3 on Monday, Anthony, who smashed his first Fenway Park homer, didn’t just celebrate the night. The rookie pointed out the guy who has been helping him all through the season, even from the dugout—Bregman.

Anthony told NESN, “It’s huge. You know, he’s like a coach in there right now. He’s awesome. And he’s such a great baseball brain.” This is not just a quick compliment, because the rookie gave Bregman credit for mentoring him since spring training. He mentioned that the veteran helped him game plan and develop a sharp plan daily. And, with Anthony currently slashing .386/.426/.568 with 12 RBIs over his last 10 games, it seems like Bregman’s guidance is going a long way. So it seems like the Sox need Bregman back badly, and even the players know it.

To be fair, for now at least, a return could come soon. Insider Nat Gordan mentioned that Bregman is “trending toward a return really quickly.” This will probably be around the end of the week or right after the All-Star break. The timing is good, given the Red Sox are in the thick of the wild card race. They have young talent and mix it with a leader, and they might fight back the odds.

Unfortunately, Bregman won’t be at the 2025 All-Star game. He has been replaced by Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, who has crushed 21 homers and 57 RBIs. But for now, All-Star Bregman’s presence on Boston’s roster is more than necessary.