Red Sox Weigh Alex Bregman Future as Marcelo Mayer Emerges

With only days remaining in the regular season the Red Sox control their destiny in a tight AL Wild Card race and must get through a crucial stretch against the Blue Jays and Tigers to clinch a postseason spot. Alex Bregman, who has an opt‑out after the season, says he’s focused on winning rather than his contract and has been a team leader and top contributor this year, even if a late‑season slump has cooled his production. Pundits continue to speculate about his future — some predict he could opt out and sign elsewhere (Detroit has been floated), while the club has expressed a strong desire to keep him. If Bregman does depart, Boston could pivot to internal, cost‑controlled options such as former top prospect Marcelo Mayer, who has shown flashes but battled a wrist injury and uneven big‑league results. Meanwhile, the team has seen encouraging on‑field signs: Ceddanne Rafaela has a recent five‑game hot streak suggesting his slump may be ending, and veteran Nathaniel Lowe has delivered clutch hits while crediting Bregman for mentorship.