Tigers Rumors: Alex Bregman's 2025 counteroffers surface and Detroit should stay away

The Detroit Tigers found themselves at the center of the annoying drama that was Alex Bregman's free agency last offseason, and it would seem that they are destined to have a similar fate this offseason.

Despite the Tigers offering Bregman the most money last winter — $171.5 million over six years — the All-Star third baseman took a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox worth $120 million and opt-outs after the first two seasons — a key detail for Bregman as he will be opting out of that deal to become a free agent once again.

Bregman being available once again seems to have opened old wounds for Tigers fans, who are already dreading the rumor circus that will inevitably begin once hot stove season is upon us. Along those lines, Jim Costa of 97.1 The Ticket provided more insight into the Tigers' previous pursuit of Bregman. After turning down the Tigers' initial offer, Bregman's camp sent two counteroffers: 6 years for $186MM and an opt-out after the first year, or seven years for $200 million and no opt-outs.

First and foremost, the Tigers were right to turn down each of those offers. Bregman was an All-Star with the Red Sox this season, but a quad strain limited him to only 114 games this season. Beyond that, Bregman struggled during the final two months of the season, slashing .239/.345/.346 with only four home runs and a wRC+ of 93 in his final 220 plate appearances.

2025 contract leaks reveal why Tigers shouldn’t touch Bregman

Turning 32 next month, Bregman will likely see the one thing that eluded him last winter: a lucrative long-term deal. In the end, he made taht his own fate. If that is the case, it seems like the most likely scenario is that he returns to the Red Sox (early projections have him at five years and $175 million). Bregman was quickly embraced by the Red Sox culture and emerged as a leader in the clubhouse during the team's playoff run.

If the Red Sox aren't that team, almost everyone will point in the direction of the Tigers, considering how close they were to signing him last offseason. While the Tigers do need to go out of their way and make a blockbuster addition to a roster that disappointed during the final month of the regular season and into the playoffs, Bregman isn't the answer. Not to mention, Bregman's asking price will likely be aligned with the counteroffers his camp sent last February, and that has all the makings of a deal that won't age well.