“It was an honor to wear this uniform,” Red Sox’s 3B Alex Bregman shared once. But now that Boston’s season has ended after losing against the Yankees in the Wild Card Series, the conversations have shifted dramatically on his future. And the man who knows him best—manager Alex Cora, who has been with him since his Houston days—has finally shared his thoughts.

Bregman signed a four-year, $120 million deal with Boston last winter, with an opt-out clause after year one. And there have been whispers that the 31-year-old may test free agency again. Recently on NESN’s “310 to Left,” Alex Cora was questioned about Alex Bregman’s future with the team. The skipper said, “I know he’s the only guy that has his mindset of what he’s gonna do. But I’m going to stay positive, I’m going to stay very positive.”

He continued on the Braggy mindset back in winter when he signed the deal with the clubhouse.

“He chose us last year because of the right reasons. He wanted to be in a playoff team. He wanted to play in Fenway Park. He wanted to be part of this organization, and since day one, he’s given 100% to us.” And that was not just inside the organization.

“Talking to the kids, talking to the veteran players, the way he handled the media, the way he impacted the community…So, you know, adding all that stuff, I’m gonna stay positive about it. The kid is a really good player. He’s a great person. He’s a great teammate,” Cora explained. But then came the dilemma.

“But like I said before, he’s the only one, well, him and Reagan [Breggy’s wife], they know what they’re gonna do. And we just have to wait and see.” Cora sounded hopeful but knows Bregman holds all the cards.

A-Breg’s 2025 performance certainly gives him leverage. Despite the early playoff exit, he had recorded an average of .273 with 118 hits, 62 RBIs, and an OPS of .821. Not only that, he brought exactly what the BoSox hoped for: Steady defense, clutch hitting, and veteran savvy that had been missing from their infield.

Alex Bregman became a leader at the clubhouse by setting an example and giving advice. Younger players like Roman Anthony looked to him for the professional attitude he brought every day. And even the front office is aware of that.

Given all those circumstances, when asked about persuading Bregman to stay at Boston, Alex Cora is now very well aware of his strategy.

“I don’t think I have to let him know how I feel about him. I think he’s very clear how I see it. But at the same time, respecting the space of his family and the people that work for him, just making sure you give him that space. It’s very important. I learned a lot last year about putting pressure on him, not from my end, but from a lot of other organizations… He knows what he wants to do. He understands who he is and what he wants. So, giving him space is kind of like the smart thing to do.”

In fact, Craig Breslow has also opened up about Bregman’s availability for next season.

“I think it’s best to keep those conversations internal. Obviously, Alex has the right … to opt out, and he’s going to do what’s best for his family. At the same time, I will not miss an opportunity to talk about his contributions … to the coaching staff … Every conversation we’ve had, I learned something. I think that impact … has rubbed off on his teammates, and by all accounts, he’s loved his time in Boston as well.”

So, while there is a lingering worry in the clubhouse, and with everyone having faith in him, it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds this winter.

Amid all this, the voices of experts have suggested that another slugger who just opted for free agency can be a good fit for the Red Sox.

Beyond Bregman: Red Sox’s next big bat?

As the Red Sox deal with an uncertain offseason, the focus has swiftly switched from Alex Bregman’s likely departure to another big move: The chance to bring in slugger Pete Alonso. Now that the Mets star is officially a free agent, both Boston fans and analysts are telling the front office to seriously consider the three-time All-Star who could change the team’s lineup.

Rob Bradford of WEEI explained it all on Tuesday.

“Alonso is a player you don’t have to worry about. He has played in the second-most games of anybody in MLB over the past four seasons, hitting the fourth-most homers of any player. Yes, the ‘models’ might not suggest it’s worth allocating such a big chunk of change to a corner infielder, but some of those same narratives were also in play when it came to Bregman a year ago. Sometimes, it’s just about being the right guy at the right time for the right team. That would seem to be Alonso and the Red Sox.”

The numbers support that claim. In the 2025 season, Alonso hit .266 with 43 home runs and 111 RBIs, keeping his slugging percentage at .520.

The insiders’ list just extended with Jon Heyman of The New York Post, stating the same. “The Astros, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Mariners, and Rangers are among possible fits for Alonso.” Mark Feinsand of MLB.com also mentioned that the Red Sox, Mets, and Giants are likely to be among the top bids.

No matter what, one thing’s for sure: Another offseason, another hot winter!