Detroit — Alex Bregman is ready for the reception Monday at Comerica Park, and probably has an inkling of what it is going to be like.
Probably not very warm and embracing. Especially after Bregman chose to sign with the Boston Red Sox on the dawn of spring training, instead of the Tigers.
That was going to leave a mark with Tigers fans. And they probably are sure to let Bregman hear their disappointment for a few days at Comerica Park.
“I have no idea, probably similar to the one I’ve gotten here over the last six years,” Bregman said of what he expected the fan reception to be like Monday, Bregman’s first visit to Comerica Park this season. “It is what it is, and it’s part of it. I’m just supper happy to be able to be playing the game of baseball at this level and playing against a great team. It’s always fun to compete.
“It’s all good. It wouldn’t be the first time and won’t be the last time I’ve been booed before in my life.”
Bregman ultimately chose to play with the Red Sox, signing a three-year, $120 million contract with two opt-outs. The Tigers reportedly offered six years, worth $171.5 million. So, basically, Bregman chose the shorter-term contract, with less total dollars, but with a bigger annual salary and two potential opportunities to opt-out and revisit free agency.
The Tigers went into Monday’s game with the best record in the American League (26-15) and near the top in key offensive statistics. Different players have stepped up, and the depth of the roster has been impressive.
But given Bregman’s career output, and his fast start this season, it does make one wonder how much better the Tigers could be right now.
After leaving the Astros via free agency, Bregman was strongly pursued by the Red Sox, Tigers and Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers seemingly the favorite to sign him most of the winter until a huge Red Sox push in the end apparently swayed Bregman.
“Obviously it was really close,” Bregman said of his final choice. “But I made my decision to come here (Boston) and I’ve been super happy to be here. I’ve really enjoyed my time being with my teammates and competing.
“They (the Tigers) have an incredible ballclub over there. First place in the American League and playing exceptionally well, (they) can really pitch and hit and play good defense.
“We have our hands full this series.”
Bregman was adamant his decision shouldn’t be considered a knock against the Tigers’ organization, the city or anything surrounding the team.
“It wasn’t a dis of Detroit,” Bregman said. “I made the decision to come play for the Boston Red Sox and I’m super excited to be here playing for this ballclub.”
Bregman was looking for certain ingredients in an organization when considering teams, and the Tigers checked off most of them.
Seeing the Tigers up close defeat Bregman’s former team in the wild-card round of the playoffs gave him a clear view of the talent of the Tigers’ roster. The Tigers are positioned to have success going forward into the future. And in the Tigers’ A.J. Hinch, Bregman would have had an opportunity to play for one of his favorite managers.
“I just think they have a good ballclub,” Bregman said. “I wanted to play where I had an opportunity to win and felt like those were the teams I talked to during free agency, the teams that I felt had the ability to win this year and for a long time, just like I feel we do here (in Boston).
“They (the Tigers) have a real good ballclub, obviously have an incredible manager I’ve known for a long time, similar to like knowing AC (Red Sox manager Alex Cora) here for a long time. I know the level of talent they have in the room and the level of talent we have here.”
The opportunity to play for Hinch again was appealing. The two have a relationship going back to Hinch’s years managing Bregman in Houston.
“He’s a competitor,” Bregman said. “He’s prepared. He loves the game and he’s very smart. First and foremost, he taught me to play hard and play smart and know what you’re good at and lean into that and maximize what you’re good at. Stay even-keel through the course of the year and just compete your tail off.”
Having watched Bregman perform at a high level for many years, under pressure situations, Hinch wasn’t expecting Bregman to be fazed Monday by disappointed Tigers’ fans.
“Listen, I get it,” said Hinch of fans possibly booing Bregman. “There is an emotional attachment to public conversations and pursuits like that. It is what it is. But I don’t know if there is an opposing park that Alex Bregman hasn’t been booed in.
“It won’t bother him. But our fans are going to support the Tigers, as they should.”
Bregman hasn’t let the uncertainty that free agency brought, along with the disappointment of Boston’s sluggish start, affect his performance. A slow starter in the past, Bregman is enjoying a terrific start to 2025. He entered Monday hitting .311 with nine home runs and a .951 OPS.
“I tried to focus on my work during the offseason, my training, preparing to play this year and trying to get off to a better start than I had the previous few years,” Bregman said. “Just kind of put my head down and working on just continuing what I was trying to do in the off season. Putting in good systems and processes in place, good routines in the cage, and it just hopefully working on the field.”
And it has. Just for Tigers fans, they’d rather see Bregman doing it in a Tigers uniform.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
