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Is this star a “priority” after Juan Soto went missing?

Is this star a “priority” after Juan Soto went missing?

The chase for Juan Soto ended badly for the Red Sox on Sunday night, but that should signal the beginning of new things to do.

According to Audacy’s Rob Bradford, the Red Sox are expected to pivot after missing out on Soto, and superstar Alex Bregman could be on their revised holiday wish list.

“According to source, one of the players the Red Sox are prioritizing immediately could be Alex Bregman,” Bradford wrote for WEEI.

As Bradford noted, Bregman makes sense for the Red Sox in one important way: He can rake from the right side of the plate, which the left-handed Sox could really use. Of course, they would have been willing to move further to the left side to sign a generational talent like Soto, but now that he’s going to the Mets, it makes perfect sense to reposition and prioritize the right side.

Few have been as solid on the right side as Bregman has been throughout his career. The 2019 American League MVP runner-up has hit at least 23 home runs in his last three seasons and posted a .260 batting average with 26 dingers and 75 RBIs last season for the Houston Astros. Perhaps a move to Fenway Park could help him get back to his highest level of production. Over the course of 2018 and 2019, Bregman averaged 36 home runs and 44 doubles, posted a .970 OPS and led the league in walks in the second of those two seasons.

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Signing Bregman would create an interesting dilemma. With Rafael Devers, the Red Sox already have a star third baseman who is signed long-term. However, Bregman has put together a Gold Glove performance at the hot corner, and his signing would set off something of a chain reaction that would lead to a shakeup in Boston’s batting order and defensive alignment.

One option, according to Bradford, is that Bregman could play second base, a move he is reportedly open to after playing third base and shortstop in Houston. That would give Boston a formidable infield with Devers, Trevor Story, Bregman and Triston Casas from left to right.

However, it won’t be easy or cheap. The Yankees, reeling after losing Soto, are also expected to be in the Bregman mix.

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