Red Sox News & Links: Is six years, $151 million the starting point for Alex Bregman?

"If you were at all surprised about Alex Bregman's decision to opt-out, then that probably means you haven't been paying much attention to the way Scott Boras has been doing business lately. Bregman's decision to sign a short-term, option-laden contract last year, and then to opt out and test free agency again this year, followed a pattern that's already proven successful for Boras clients."

"There is still time for the Red Sox and Bregman to come to an agreement on an extension, just as the Sox did earlier this year with closer Aroldis Chapman. With the eighth and ninth innings locked up courtesy of Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, how aggressive will Craig Breslow be in pursuing other free agent relievers? Here's a look at some potential signings, including Kirby Yates, Luke Weaver, and Kyle Finnegan. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)"

Alex Bregman opted out of a short-term, option-laden contract to re-enter free agency, following a strategy linked to Scott Boras clients. A comparable precedent is Matt Chapman’s six-year, $151 million deal after a similar approach. Kazuma Okamoto of the Tokyo Giants appears unlikely to be posted as a third base replacement. The Red Sox and Bregman still have time to reach an extension, similar to the club's earlier Aroldis Chapman agreement. The bullpen currently features Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, while Craig Breslow may pursue relievers such as Kirby Yates, Luke Weaver, and Kyle Finnegan. Starting pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Hunter Greene, and Mackenzie Gore are mentioned as potential trade targets. The Red Sox are not in the current World Series, and the 2007 championship team received a recent top-five ranking among this century’s champions.

Read at Over the Monster