Tigers could benefit from Red Sox passivity in Alex Bregman free agency chase

The Tigers are still being actively connected to Alex Bregman in his free agency, but no notable movement seems to have been made on either side. We don't have an outright explanation for the holdup, but it's easy enough to draw conclusions: Bregman will be expensive, and the Tigers don't like to spend money.

As one of the two star position players left on the free agent market, it's no surprise that other teams are checking in on him, and the Red Sox have recently emerged as ones to watch. Rafael Devers could be moved off of third base to first or full-time DH, depending on what the Red Sox are able to get done this offseason.

However, Boston appears to be playing a waiting game with Bregman despite Alex Cora being heavily in favor of his signing. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic speculated that they could be betting on Bregman not wanting to play in Toronto (the Blue Jays are also potential suitors) and the Tigers being unwilling to spend Bregman-level money.

Both could end up being true, but if the Red Sox aren't being aggressive in their conversations with Bregman, it gives the Tigers more time to figure out a contract everyone involved can live with.

Tigers should take Red Sox's hesitation on Alex Bregman as a sign to move now

Bregman talks lasting this long is already a breath of fresh air for Tigers fans. A huge free agent is actually interested in playing in Detroit, and the Tigers didn't immediately balk at his asking price. But it's been a question from the start if the Tigers would actually give him the years and money he's looking for (or if they'd be able to figure out a compromise).

Last year, agent Scott Boras played chicken with five of his clients' markets, and none of them ended up getting the deals they were looking for. Maybe the Tigers are just sweating Bregman and Boras out, hoping the same thing will happen this year. However, if the Tigers show signs of weakness and the Red Sox are still willing to pay a high price, that could be when Boston swoops in.

We're only about a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Lakeland, and it feels safe to say that Bregman would like to sign somewhere before spring training starts. The Red Sox not actively trying to swipe him away is reassuring, but it should urge the Tigers to try to get through whatever roadblock is in place sooner rather than later, lest Boston wake up and start chasing.