Boston Red Sox v Cleveland Guardians – Game One | Jason Miller/GettyImages
The Detroit Tigers have had a blazing hot start to their 2025 campaign, proving that they can not only survive, but thrive without Alex Bregman in their lineup. However, Detroit fans still haven’t forgotten about the way the third baseman disrespected their team in free agency.
Detroit made Bregman the largest contract offer in free agency at six years, $171.5 million. But Bregman opted for the Boston Red Sox’s three-year, $120 million contract, which offered him a larger average annual and included opt-outs after the first and second years.
This week’s series between the Tigers and the Red Sox marks Bregman’s first visit to Comerica Park since he declined Detroit’s free agent offer and opted instead to sign with their American League rivals in February. The Tigers faithful have made their displeasure with Bregman known – loudly – with relentless boos and jeers every time he’s stepped up to the plate over the past two days.
Alex Bregman responds to relentless boos from Tigers fans at Comerica Park
Bregman heard the boos. He probably knew they were coming (and, as a member of the sign-stealing 2017 Houston Astros team, he should be used to them by now). Speaking to the media in Detroit, he acknowledged his free agency decision in the most diplomatic way he knew how.
“It was not a diss of Detroit,” Bregman said of his decision to sign with the Red Sox (via Jason Beck of MLB.com). “I made a decision to come play for the Boston Red Sox, and I’m super excited to be here playing for this ballclub.”
But Bregman is going to have an awfully hard time convincing Tigers fans that his decision was not a “diss” of Detroit. Yes, at the end of the day, baseball is a business; but this felt personal. Bregman had ties to both Detroit and Boston, having previously played for both Tigers manager AJ Hinch and Red Sox manager Cora with the Astros. Hinch was Bregman’s manager for the first four years of his Major League career, while Cora served under Hinch as the Astros’ bench coach.
With a series win over the Red Sox and the top spot in the American League, the Tigers appear to be having the last laugh in the Bregman saga. Don’t expect Detroit fans to let him forget it anytime soon.
