What insiders are predicting for Purple Sox in MLB free company
Boston Purple Sox
Boston is predicted to be within the combine for a handful of the highest free brokers this offseason.
MLB free company is formally underway, nevertheless it is likely to be a while earlier than the highest free brokers signal.
The winter conferences aren’t till Dec. 7, which is when lots of the high free brokers start to search out properties. So, with loads of time till then, many insiders and shops dropped their predictions for MLB free company in latest days, and most appear to have the Purple Sox among the many extra lively groups this offseason.
Boston is able to spend this offseason. It has roughly $219 million dedicated in payroll for subsequent season, per Purple Sox Payroll. That places them round $25 million shy of the primary luxurious tax threshold and roughly $45 million beneath the second luxurious tax threshold.
So, let’s check out what insiders from MLB.com, ESPN, Sports activities Illustrated, The Athletic, and MLB Commerce Rumors are predicting for the Purple Sox and a number of the high free brokers this offseason.
Alex Bregman, 3B, Purple Sox
What they’re predicting: Coming into free company, the Purple Sox appear to be the favourite to signal Bregman, however not by a lot. Forty-three p.c of the 46 voters surveyed by MLB.com imagine that Bregman will re-sign with the Purple Sox, whereas SI predicted that Boston will re-sign the third baseman. ESPN’s David Schoenfield listed the Purple Sox as the very best match for Bregman, whereas the Purple Sox have been considered one of three groups (Tigers, Phillies) labeled as a finest match for the star third baseman by The Athletic. Nevertheless, not one of the 4 writers for MLB Commerce Rumors predict that Bregman will keep in Boston.
Contract projections: Six years, $171 million (The Athletic); six years, $160 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Bregman: Bregman was arguably the Purple Sox’ finest hitter this previous season, hitting .273 with a .821 OPS, 18 homers, and 62 RBIs in 114 video games. However Bregman, who’ll flip 32 in March, struggled within the season’s homestretch after battling a quad damage earlier within the yr. He hit .187 within the closing 27 video games of the common season, including two dwelling runs and a .581 OPS in that stretch.
Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million take care of the Purple Sox final offseason after a tenous free company course of, remaining unsigned till the beginning of spring coaching. There have been rumors of the Tigers and Cubs being excited about Bregman, whereas the Astros additionally made an try to re-sign him. He formally opted out of his contract earlier in November.
After all, it’d be supreme if the Purple Sox discovered some approach to re-sign Bregman. However there are just a few different choices in free company to switch him, together with a pair we’ll discuss quickly, and Marcelo Mayer, who stuffed in for Bregman when he was injured this previous season.
Kyle Schwarber, DH/OF, Phillies
What they’re predicting: The Purple Sox appear to be among the many favorites to land Schwarber, however they aren’t as sturdy a favourite to get him as they’re to re-sign Bregman. 13 p.c of these surveyed by MLB.com assume the Purple Sox will signal Schwarber (second-highest behind Phillies), however not one of the writers at MLB Commerce Rumors predicted Boston to signal the star slugger. The Athletic additionally listed the Purple Sox among the many three most closely fits for Schwarber, alongside the Phillies and Reds.
Contract projections: 5 years, $145 million (The Athletic); 5 years, $135 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Schwarber: Schwarber, who’ll flip 33 in March, was arguably one of many high sluggers in baseball this previous season. He led the NL in dwelling runs (56) and RBIs (132) whereas posting a .240 batting common and a .928 OPS in 2025. He hit over 45 homers in two of his three different seasons in Philly and had a 38-homer season in 2024, proving to be considered one of baseball’s high few energy bats.
The match for Schwarber in Boston is fairly pure. Energy was arguably the one factor lacking from the Purple Sox’ offense in 2025, rating fifteenth in homers. Following the Rafael Devers commerce, the Purple Sox largely shuffled gamers round at designated hitter as properly. So, signing Schwarber would give the Purple Sox a secure, on a regular basis possibility there.
Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets
What they’re predicting: Alonso can also be among the many group of free-agent hitters that the Purple Sox appear to be among the many favorites to signal this offseason, however aren’t the highest favourite. Twenty-two p.c of these surveyed by MLB.com predicted that Alonso will signal with the Purple Sox (second to Mets), whereas two of the 4 writers at MLB Commerce Rumors imagine that Boston will find yourself with the primary baseman. The Athletic additionally listed the Purple Sox as one of many three most closely fits for Alonso, alongside the Mets and Philles.
Contract projections: 5 years, $140 million (The Athletic); 4 years, $110 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Alonso: Alonso’s profile is just like Schwarber, simply that he’s a righty and never a lefty. He’s hit a minimum of 30 homers in each season he’s been within the majors (outdoors of the COVID-shortened 2020 season), and this previous season was arguably the very best of his profession. Alonso hit .272 with a .871 OPS, an NL-leading 41 doubles, 38 dwelling runs, and 126 RBIs.
Signing Alonso, who’ll flip 31 in December, may kill two birds with one stone for the Purple Sox. He would give them some wanted right-handed hitting assist and fill a place of want at first base. With Triston Casas rehabbing for a torn patellar tendon, Purple Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn’t decide to a beginning first baseman for subsequent season.
One other plus for Alonso? He hasn’t missed a sport within the final two seasons and has missed simply 9 video games within the final 4 years.
Munetaka Murakami, 3B, Japan
What they’re predicting: Just a few of the voters for MLB.com’s survey assume the Purple Sox will find yourself with Murakami, whereas one of many 4 writers at MLB Commerce Rumors thinks Boston will signal the Japanese star. The Athletic additionally listed the Purple Sox among the many most closely fits for Murakami alongside the Cubs and Blue Jays.
Contract projections: Eight years, $158.5 million (The Athletic), eight years, $160 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Murakami: Murakami is arguably the highest worldwide free agent this offseason. He was formally posted on Friday, giving him a 45-day window (Dec. 22) to signal with an MLB workforce.
Murakami, 25, has been referred to as the “Japanese Babe Ruth” for his means to hit for energy. Murakami broke the NPB’s long-standing single-season dwelling run report in 2022, hitting 56 dwelling runs that yr. He’s hit a minimum of 30 dwelling runs within the 5 seasons he’s performed 140 video games, together with 33 homers in 2024. This previous season, Murakami hit 22 dwelling runs to go together with a .273 batting common and 1.042 OPS in simply 56 video games.
However as Murakami has proven excessive upside as an influence hitter, there are some considerations with him on the plate. His whiff and strikeout charges during the last two seasons both would’ve been the worst or the second-worst on the Purple Sox. He’s additionally struggled with hitting fastballs over 93 mph.
By way of Murakami’s attainable match with the Purple Sox, he might be an possibility at third base in the event that they lose Bregman in free company. However some imagine he’s higher fitted to first base.
Dylan Stop, RHP, Padres
What they’re predicting: Just a few of the voters for MLB.com’s survey imagine the Purple Sox will signal Stop. Two of the 4 writers at MLB Commerce Rumors predict that Case will find yourself signing with the Purple Sox.
Contract projections: Six years, $174 million (The Athletic); six years, $189 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Stop: Stop, who’ll flip 30 in December, is arguably the highest pitcher on the open market this offseason. He went 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA this previous season to go together with a 1.327 WHIP. However he additionally had 215 strikeouts in 168 innings pitched over 32 begins. Stop additionally completed top-four in Cy Younger voting in of the three earlier seasons, courting again to his days with the White Sox.
Signing Stop would give the Purple Sox one other top-of-the-rotation arm and would doubtless change Lucas Giolito as he entered free company this week.
Framber Valdez, LHP, Astros
What they’re predicting: Just a few of these surveyed by MLB.com imagine that Valdez will signal with the Purple Sox, whereas The Athletic listed Boston amongst considered one of Valdez’s three-best suits (Orioles, Blue Jays).
Contract projections: Seven years, $196 million (The Athletic); 5 years, $150 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Valdez: If Stop isn’t the highest pitcher on the open market, then it’s doubtless Valdez. The Astros lefty, who’ll flip 32 later in November, went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.245 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched over 31 begins in 2025.
This previous season may need truly been an off yr for Valdez. He completed high 10 in AL Cy Younger voting in every of the earlier three seasons previous to 2025.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Mariners
What they’re predicting: Just a few of these surveyed by MLB.com predicted that the Purple Sox will signal Suarez, and one of many 4 writers from MLB Commerce Rumors predicted that Boston will get the slugging third baseman.
Contract projections: Three years, $69 million (The Athletic); three years, $60 million (MLB Commerce Rumors)
What to find out about Suarez: Suarez, 34, was considered one of baseball’s high energy hitters this previous season. He hit 49 homers between his stops with the Diamondbacks and Mariners. Nevertheless, he hit .189 in Seattle after the commerce in the course of the common season, and his batting common hasn’t been good since 2020 (.229).
The Purple Sox have been reportedly in on Suarez earlier than he bought traded to the Mariners and have been excited about transferring him to first base. So, he might be an possibility for them this offseason, no matter what occurs with Bregman.
Different notable free agent predictions involving the Purple Sox
As for another free brokers getting linked to the Purple Sox, The Athletic listed Boston as one of many three most closely fits for Padres right-handed pitcher Michael King and Phillies left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez. King, 30, has posted two sub-3.50 ERA seasons in his first two years as a full-time starter. Each The Athletic and MLB Commerce Rumors projected that King will obtain $75-$80 million in whole cash this offseason.
Suarez, in the meantime, went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA this previous season. The Athletic tasks that Suarez will get a six-year, $153 million deal.
Just a few of the individuals surveyed by MLB.com predicted that the Purple Sox will signal Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and Padres infielder Luis Arraez as properly. Realmuto, who’ll flip 35 in March, hit .257 with 12 homers in 134 video games this previous season. Each The Athletic and MLB Commerce Rumors projected that Realmuto will signal a contract value $15 million per yr.
Arraez has been considered one of baseball’s high hitters for common over the previous few years, posting a .292 batting common in 2025. Each The Athletic and MLB Commerce Rumors projected that Arraez will get a two-year deal value someplace between $24-$30 million.
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