Rays get worst case scenario Alex Bregman decision in free agency

After much thought and analyzation (and frustration from baseball fans), Alex Bregman finally chose the club he will be representing in the 2025 season. Bregman and the Red Sox have agreed to a three-year, $120 million deal. This lucrative short-term contract also includes opt-outs after each year, in case the former Astros infielder isn't enjoying his time in Beantown.

It's difficult to know exactly how this deal will impact the AL East, but one thing is for certain: the Red Sox are for real. In a division where the teams from New York and Baltimore dominated the standings a season ago, this is not good news for the Rays or anyone else for that matter. The Yankees are likely still the favorite to repeat as division champions, but the Red Sox are not far behind. Have they officially surpassed the Orioles?

Well, this also wasn't there only transaction of the busy offseason. Boston traded for left-handed flamethrower Garrett Crochet and signed two-time World Series champions, Aroldis Chapman and Walker Buehler. The Red Sox front office heard the outcries from their fans to build this team for a run in 2025 and that's exactly what they did.

After finishing 2024 only a game ahead of the struggling Rays, Boston now looks to be one of the top contenders in not only their division, but also the entire American League. The pitching concerns were definitely accounted for with the additions of Chapman, Crochet, and Buehler.

Although, the lineup was lacking a formidable right-handed hitter after losing Tyler O'Neill in free agency.... until now. The 2019 Silver Slugger will be "exactly what the doctor ordered", as he'll bring a significant boost to an already potent lineup. Imagining Jarren Duran, Trevor Story, Rafael Devers, and Alex Bregman at the top of that lineup at Fenway Park will make any pitcher shudder. Therefore, we believe that the Red Sox are 100% better than the Orioles now, at least on paper.

Where does that leave the Rays? We'd be hard-pressed to put them in the bottom half of the AL East, but unfortunately that's a probable storyline. However, the Rays are known for surprising people and they definitely have the make-up of a winning ball club with elite pitching depth and an offense on the rise. It shall be interesting to see how the "best division in baseball" plays out in 2025.