Alex Bregman made harsh life decision to help Red Sox this year

The Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal in the offseason. He is having a stellar year at the plate and made a decision that shows his commitment to the team.

Bregman and his wife, Regan, welcomed their second child into the world this year. However, Bregman did not take full advantage of the league's paternity leave. He decided to make a quicker-than-required return.

"When his wife, Reagan, was about to give birth to their second child in mid-April, Bregman told teammates he didn't plan to take full advantage of Major League Baseball's three-game paternity leave," wrote ESPN's Jeff Passan. "That day in Tampa, Florida, he went 5-for-5 with two home runs, flew to Boston, saw the birth of Bennett Matthew Bregman, and returned to the team. He missed one game."

His commitment to the team was clear when he decided to return early. Bregman, 31, had spent his entire career with the Houston Astros. However, the Astros moved on from him despite nine great seasons with the team. Bregman ended up signing a deal that gives him the option to opt out after the season, a right he will likely exercise.

"It was a staggering deal for someone who over the previous five seasons was plenty good (.261/.350/.445 with 92 home runs) but objectively not a $40 million-a-year player," wrote Passan. "But Bregman and the Red Sox both believed he could get himself back to the version of himself from 2018 and 2019 -- the one who posted more than 16 wins above replacement and ranked among the game's elite."

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Bregman is having a stellar year at the plate. Bregman had been a great player over the last few seasons, but was not the same beast he was in 2018 and 2019, when he was named an All-Star. This year he is slashing .304/.381/.567 with 10 home runs. It's no coincidence, as the team spent a great deal of time refining his swing.

"Red Sox coaches already had put together a presentation to explain how and why he needed to fix his swing," wrote Passan. "Over time, Bregman had developed almost imperceptible bad habits. The timing of Bregman loading his hands was too late and too fast. Moving his hands as the ball left the pitcher's hand left him vulnerable, and never did Bregman possess the sort of bat velocity to make up for it."

Bregman has put in the work and is looking like an All-Star once again. After proving he can still be an elite player, and not just a good one, he could find a lucrative deal in free agency. However, it will be difficult for the Red Sox to find an adequate replacement. Bregman has been noted as a great clubhouse presence. He was even willing to change positions to accommodate Rafael Devers during some offseason drama.

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