What John Henry Told Scott Boras Amid Red Sox’s Alex Bregman Pursuit

The Red Sox had Scott Boras on speed dial this offseason as they pursued the top free agents in baseball, including the recently signed Alex Bregman.

During those back-and-forth talks, Boras could sense a “charge” from the organization compared to previous winters. It was clear during his conversations with longtime Red Sox owner John Henry, Boras told reporters at Bregman’s introductory press conference.

“There was a bit of a charge, a bit of an onus to really return back to winning,” Boras told reporters in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday morning, as seen on NESN.

“Probably a conversation I had with John (Henry) where he expressed a sincerity and more of a passion of saying, ‘We’re missing something here that should be here, that has been here, something that’s been lost, and we have a strong intention to return it.'”

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow credited ownership for “not just authorizing our group, but encouraging our group” to stage a full-fledged pursuit of Bregman. The Red Sox signed Bregman to a three-year deal worth $120 million with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.

Boras said Bregman had a robust free-agent market. The two-time World Series champion reportedly received offers from the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs after a previous offer from the Houston Astros.

Boras credited Red Sox ownership and Breslow’s staff after Boston emerged as the winner.

“I think there was recognition by (Breslow’s) staff,” Boras said. “This was a difficult process for teams. (Bregman’s) situation was very much in demand. And I credit them because they had to go through a lot of avenues and trajectories to work out something that fit for both sides.”

Bregman strongly expressed his desire to win, and said he plans to do so in Boston after having so much success in Houston. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Breslow indicated Bregman’s position in the field was not yet determined as getting the 2024 Gold Glove winner to Boston was the first and foremost goal.