By

Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek since 2024 and previously worked at MLB.com, Wisconsin Sports Heroics and Heavy.com. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. You can get in touch with Aaliyan by emailing [email protected]

Contributing Sports Writer

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

The Boston Red Sox are still trying to make a postseason push, but they might have to make some tough decisions to secure their future at the trade deadline.

The Red Sox's first priority should be trying to extend Alex Bregman. He and his agent, Scott Boras, have revealed they are open to signing an extension. However, The Athletic's Jim Bowden confirmed that if they cannot come to terms on an extension by the trade deadline, Bregman could be dealt.

"The Red Sox would like to extend Bregman before the trade deadline, but it won't be easy with Scott Boras as his agent," wrote Bowden. "And, I'm hearing, in my conversations throughout the league, if he's not extended, they could end up trading him to Seattle, Detroit or Milwaukee."

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 15: Alex Bregman #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting an RBI double in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April... Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Bregman is likely going to opt out after the season. He was slashing .299/.385/.553 and was named an All-Star before his injury. He is expected to return soon, but his opt-out creates a tricky situation. The star third baseman is likely going to try and find a long-term deal on the open market, and it will take a lot of money to extend him with Boras as his agent.

If the Red Sox realize they are not going to be able to give him what he wants, they would be wise to try and trade him before he opts out and walks. Trading Bregman may signal that they are not serious about contending this year, but it would help solve some logjams.

The Red Sox have already extended Kristian Campbell, and he figures to be the second baseman for their future. However, Trevor Story is blocking Marcelo Mayer from playing shortstop. Mayer has been playing third base while Bregman has been out, but when Bregman returns, the infield will become complicated.

Trading Bregman would be a big blow to their postseason chances, but it would likely return valuable pieces and create a path for Campbell and Mayer to both get in the lineup every day in the future. However, surely the Red Sox would prefer to keep Bregman and deal with Mayer's fit around that.

More MLB: MLB Insider Suggests Dodgers-Paul Skenes Trade That Would Ruin Baseball