Alex Bregman took the significantly larger short-term money over the grander long-term deal.
The longtime Astros standout infielder agreed Wednesday night to a deal with the Red Sox for three years and $120 million with opt-outs after the first two seasons.
The deal includes deferred money.
Alex Bregman chose the Red Sox in free agency. Getty Images
Bregman accepted the more eye-popping average-annual-value offer over the Tigers’ larger guaranteed total. The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed that Detroit had offered Bregman $171.5 million over six seasons — with an opt-out after 2026 — and he turned down the roughly $28.5 million average.
With Boston, Bregman can make $40 million (albeit partly deferred) in one year and, if he performs, can try to cash in on a steeper pact a year from now.
Part of the hope for Bregman and the Red Sox is Fenway Park will help the chances of the early opt-out being triggered.
The righty slugger is pull-heavy, and there is plenty of reason for righties to pull pitches right off or over the Green Monster.
Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers are now teammates. Getty Images
In 21 games and 98 plate appearances — which isn’t a tiny sample size — in Boston, the 30-year-old owns a 1.240 OPS with seven home runs.
The Tigers, who surprised their way into the American League Divisional Series last season, are left without a star bat addition.
They could have used Bregman, one of the better all-around players in baseball who, in a somewhat down season last year, posted a .768 OPS with 26 homers in 145 games.
Detroit could give the third base job to Matt Vierling, who is coming off a strong season in which he finished with a .735 OPS. They also could give a shot to top prospect Jace Jung, if he wins the job in camp. Vierling is a righty and Jung a lefty, making a platoon possible.
Alex Bregman spurned his former manager in A.J. Hinch. Getty Images
Their infield will look differently after they signed Gleyber Torres, and they will hope their rotation is improved with Jack Flaherty back and Alex Cobb added.
But barring a late surprise, they will enter the season with about $171.5 million unspent.
