Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman has opted out of his contract and will enter free agency, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Bregman, 31, passed on his $40 million player options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons and will try to land a lucrative, long-term deal. His Red Sox contract called for $20 million to be deferred in each option season.
Free agents can start signing with new teams after 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Bregman hit .273 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games this season, his first in Boston. He earned his third selection to the American League All-Star team (2018 and 2019).
He played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros from 2016-24, winning two World Series (2017 and 2022) and a Gold Glove award (2024).
Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in February, choosing Boston over offers from the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.
He is a career .272/.365/.481 hitter with 209 home runs, 293 doubles and 725 RBIs in 1,225 games. In the playoffs, he holds a .239 average and .791 OPS with 19 homers and 55 RBIs in 102 games.