The Boston Red Sox made a significant splash on the eve of spring training, agreeing to terms with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman on a three-year, $120 million contract.

The deal, which includes opt-outs after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, marks a major coup for the Red Sox, who were in dire need of a right-handed power bat in their lineup.

Bregman, 30, is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros. He’s a career .286 hitter with 140 home runs and 532 RBIs in 936 games.

The Red Sox had been linked to several other top free agents this offseason, but Bregman was always their top target. His addition provides a significant boost to a lineup that struggled to score runs at times last season.

“Alex is an elite player who brings a unique combination of power, plate discipline, and defensive skills to our lineup,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. “We’re thrilled to add him to our team and believe he’ll be a key contributor to our success in 2025 and beyond.”

Bregman’s signing is the latest move in an active offseason for the Red Sox. The team has also added pitchers Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Aroldis Chapman as they look to return to contention in the American League East.

The Red Sox are expected to hold a press conference to introduce Bregman on Wednesday, just before the team’s first full-squad workout of spring training.

Bregman’s arrival in Boston is expected to have a significant impact on the team’s lineup. He’s likely to bat in the middle of the order, providing protection for star shortstop Xander Bogaerts and adding a much-needed right-handed power presence to the lineup.

The Red Sox are also expected to explore ways to get Bregman’s bat into the lineup as often as possible. One possibility is to play him at second base, where he’s played nine games in his career. This would allow the Red Sox to keep Rafael Devers at third base, where he’s established himself as one of the top players in the game.

Regardless of where he plays, Bregman’s addition is a significant boost to the Red Sox’s chances of competing in the AL East. With a strong lineup and a deep pitching staff, the Red Sox are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.

_What’s Next for the Red Sox?_

With Bregman on board, the Red Sox will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for the upcoming season. Here are a few potential next moves for the team:

– _Solidifying the Rotation_: The Red Sox have added some key pieces to their pitching staff, but they may still look to add another starter or reliever to bolster their depth.

– _Bolstering the Bullpen_: The Red Sox have made some significant additions to their bullpen, but they may still look to add another arm or two to solidify their relief corps.

– _Making a Trade_: The Red Sox have been active on the trade market this offseason, and it’s possible that they could make another move before the season starts. Potential targets could include players like Whit Merrifield or Joey Gallo.

As the Red Sox prepare to open spring training, they do so with a renewed sense of optimism. With Bregman on board, the team is poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.