ORLANDO — A media availability held by super agent Scott Boras is an annual rite of baseball’s Winter Meetings and Tuesday morning was no different.
Standing on a podium with his agency logo serving as a backdrop, took questions from a large gathering of reporters at the Hilton Signia hotel lobby and addressed the status of both Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, two Red Sox targets.
“Everyone is aware that Bregman is something special and different, other than his performance,” said Boras. “You’re talking about one of the few regular everyday players that has eight consecutive postseason appearances. So, in October, it’s Alex in Wonderland. And it’s a Bregularly-scheduled event, no doubt.”
Boras said “the dialogue continues” with the Red Sox regarding Bregman.
Boras also represents Alonso, who fits the profile of what the Red Sox are seeking: a proven power hitter, and a righthanded one at that.
“Pete lives in Tampa,” said Boras, warming to his subject. “Its rather warm there, so the polar vortex of last year has kind of thawed. The prior bear market is exhausted, so now we kind of have the Running of the Bulls in Tamploosa.”
A year ago, like Bregman, Alonso carried the stigma of having compensation attached to him after his team had extended him a qualifying offer. No such compensation is attached this time around.
“This is something where Pete’s really a true free agent,” said Boras. “Righthanded power is a commodity. A guy who can play on the dirt is a commodity. And of all the teams we’ve met with, not one doesn’t want Pete to play first base, I think because of his (ability to dig out low throws) and what he does. There’s a lot said about his defense, but we’re learning it’s very positive because they don’t have many first basemen who can play every day in the field and carry the offensive thrust.”
According to an industry source, Alonso could met with the Red Sox in person either Tuesday or Wednesday in a face-to-face session.
Asked about the Red Sox in particular, Boras said: “We’ve had discussions that (involve) six or seven players. Boston and their ownership has made it clear to us that they want to add and improve beyond what their roster was last year.
“Again, they’re aware that the American League East is a very different dynamic in ‘26 than it was in ‘25. There’s a lot of clubs that are already better and improved and they fully expect additions from many others in the division.”
In addition to Bregman and Alonso, Boras also represents two Japanese players who might interest the Red Sox: righthanded starter Tatsuya Imai and corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto.
Meanwhile, the current collective bargaining agreement expires next Dec. 1, but Boras said that face isn’t impeding this winter’s market.
“Historically, we’ve had major signings the year before a CBA (expires),” said Boras. “The ebbs and flows in talent is what’s important to teams. Bargaining agreements figure themselves out. Unfortunately, they don’t let us put clauses in contracts that players gets paid when there is a disruption in performance of the CBA. Owners are protected from that, so I don’t think it wildly inhibits their actions.”
