How Red Sox signing Alex Bregman, losing Nick Pivetta affects their 2025 Draft picks

The Red Sox had to give up a draft pick to sign Alex Bregman.

But they also gained a compensation draft pick Wednesday when their own free agent, Nick Pivetta, signed with the Padres.

Boston signed Bregman for three years, $120 million. The deal gives him the ability to opt out to become a free agent after both this season and 2026.

Pivetta agreed to a backloaded contract with the Padres that maxes out at four years and $55 million, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Houston extended Bregman the $21.05 million qualifying offer at the beginning of the offseason. He declined it. That meant any team that signed him would forfeit a 2025 draft pick.

So the Red Sox will forfeit their second-highest 2025 draft pick (second round, No. 54 overall) and $500,000 in international bonus pool money.

Same situation with Pivetta. Boston extended him the $21.05 million qualifying offer, which he declined. So the Red Sox will receive a compensation pick right before the third round, likely at or around Pick No. 77.

It almost evens out for Boston, softening the blow of losing its second round pick. The Sox still will have the same number of draft selections this summer but their second round pick will drop approximately 23 spots.

“I texted him (Bregman) when it went through last night,” Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet said here at JetBlue Park on Thursday. “Just couldn’t be more fired up to have him join us here.”

Red Sox starter Walker Buehler and Bregman own a race horse together.

“Obviously he struggled a little bit in the first half last year and I talked to him and he was like, ‘Ah, just gotta be me again,’” Buehler said about Bregman. “Kind of get back to what he always felt. Ever since I’ve seen him play he’s been one of the better players on the field, starting at LSU as a freshman. He’s continued that over. Very confident player. A guy I think will handle Boston well hopefully. And has played really well at Fenway. I’m excited about it.”

On their race horse, Buehler said, “For now we’re having fun with it. Bregs is super deep into it. So I’ve gotta play a little catchup.”