Ah, yes. Scott Boras. The shrewd shark that he is recently came out accusing the owners of being cheap on his two superstar clients left on the free agent market in Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman. It’s his job. He’s the best in the business, and he’s paid very well.

The Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox are the two teams predominantly tied to Bregman. Yankees are still lurking as only the Yankees can. And, hey, the Dodgers could be as well. I mean they may not have enough yachts to ski behind. Philly could still be kicking the tires on Bregman, too.

Back to Boras. Many know he had Mike Ilitch on speed dial back in the day. If he wanted to get Pudge Rodriguez signed, he called Mike Ilitch. If he wanted Magglio Ordonez signed, he called Mike Ilitch, and the Detroit Icon would gladly accommodate him. It paid off pretty well as the Tigers went to the World Series in 2006. But Chris Ilitch is not his father. He throws nickels around like man hole covers. I can envision Boras on the phone with him. ‘Wow pizza boy you sure ain’t your old man!’ This may come as a surprise to many, but I think Chris Ilitch is right on his stance of not pulling the trigger.

Bregman is still a top ten 3B in MLB. The pop in the bat is there and his defense is still terrific. However, his numbers are declining, and they’re declining in a somewhat alarming rate. Bregman is on the north side of 30( 31). He is seeking a long term deal and is dug in on his convictions. BUT, numbers don’t lie. Since 2022 Bregman’s WAR has gone from 5.0 to 4.1. His RBI has gone from 93 to 75. His OBP has gone from 366 to 315. And finally his OPS has gone from 820 to 768. That is a significant decline any way you slice the pizza. Sure his HR went from 23 to 26 over this span but Bregman also has played in the cozy confines of Daikan Park which could basically fit in cavernous Comerica.

The Tigers desperately need a RH bat in the lineup and preferably at the hot corner. Jace Jung is unproven and is a LH hitter. Matt Vierling is an option but he is better suited in the OF. There are more affordable options out there. One in particular is Jurickson Profar. True, Profar is on the north side of thirty himself (32 when opening day hits) but let’s break down his numbers. He hits .280 with 24 homers and 85 RBI. Yes, I know what people are going to rip this writer about. PROFAR IS A LF! MACHADO IS SAN DIEGO’S 3B! True, but Profar has played 3B and has played it defensively at an acceptable level.

Now we come to the shrewd move part. Alec Brohm in Philly. Philly has made it clear they want to shake things up and Brohm is being dangled out there. They have been linked to Bregman if they do indeed trade Brohm. Brohm has a career WAR of 3.8, an OBP of .332, and hit .280 with 15 HR and 97 RBI. He is 27 years old and entering his prime. He avoided arbitration, signing a one year $7,770,000 contract. Appealing to say the least. Sure, its going to cost the Tigers a big package in a trade, starting with a top five prospect in 2024 first round pick Bryce Rainer, Keider Montero, and more.

With Bregman holding firm in his multi-year deal, keep in mind that it will require at least six years with yearly cost average around $180 million. It puts him at age 38 when the contract ends. As previously mentioned, his numbers are already declining. Some questioned the number of years on Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera. Just imagine what will happen when Bregman is 35 batting .240 with 13 HR and 55 RBI.

The talking heads in Detroit Media will clamor DO SOMETHING! But that, to me, is just acting like an impetuous child having a temper tantrum because they can’t leave the toy store without something. We have a player by the name of Javy Baez with an albatross of a contract that keeps on giving the whole year round, Clark. Alex Bregman reunited with AJ Hinch in the Old English D. Careful what ya wish for Tiger fans, ya just might get it.