Red Sox fans might not be thrilled about the latest 'Plan B' for Alex Bregman — and that’s putting it mildly.
It’s no secret that Boston fans expect their team to do everything possible to keep their star infielder, Alex Bregman, in red and white this offseason. After all, most analysts agree that both sides are a natural fit — Boston wants him, and Fenway feels like home for his playing style and personality. But here’s the tough question no one wants to ask: what if Bregman walks?
Baseball free agency is a fickle business. Even when a reunion seems obvious, it only takes one unexpected bid or shifting priority to rewrite the script. That’s why Bleacher Report’s MLB columnist, Kerry Miller, recently floated a backup plan that could make Red Sox supporters a bit uneasy.
His so-called 'Plan B'? Turn to Japan. No, seriously — Miller suggests that if Bregman signs elsewhere, the Red Sox could pivot toward landing one of the power hitters expected to make the leap from Nippon Professional Baseball. He names two potential candidates: Munetaka Murakami, a legitimate home run machine, and Kazuma Okamoto, another slugger with a massive swing, though less hyped in American circles.
But here’s where it gets controversial. Neither Murakami nor Okamoto is considered a sure bet defensively, especially at third base — the exact spot Bregman currently owns so confidently. Miller acknowledges that weakness himself, proposing a creative workaround: slide either player across the diamond to first base while handing third base duties to prospect Marcelo Mayer. It’s an idea rooted in flexibility but also risk — and Red Sox fans know how harsh Fenway can be toward untested talent.
Still, Miller doesn’t stop there. In an intriguing twist, he offers what he calls a "Plan B to the Plan B." Instead of importing power from overseas, he suggests Boston could pursue another big name: Pete Alonso, the Mets’ slugging first baseman. Alonso’s right-handed power would help fill the offensive gap left by Bregman, while Boston could address the third base situation midseason through trades.
Now, this is where the fan base might split. Is it smarter to bring a proven MLB hitter like Alonso into the mix, or to roll the dice on international stars with massive upside but untested MLB experience? It’s a classic case of dependable production versus long-term potential.
So, Boston fans — where do you stand? Should the Red Sox bet on familiar power from the MLB or take a bold swing across the Pacific for their next star? Drop your thoughts below — because this debate is just heating up.
