All season long, the Red Sox have been pursuing a right-handed pitcher. Of the players available on the market, Alex Bregman seems to be the best fit. The merger finally became a reality late Wednesday night, when chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reached an agreement with the free-agent third baseman and two-time World Series champion on a three-year, $120 million contract, pending a physical, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal, which has yet to be confirmed by the club, includes an opt-out beyond 2025 and ’26 and a number of deferrals.

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According to multiple sources, the longtime Astros infielder received an offer from the Tigers for six years and a $171.5 million salary with a release clause after 2026, and an offer from the Cubs for four years and a $120 million salary with a release clause after 2026 and 2027, but he chose the higher average annual contract with Boston. Not only would Bregman give the Sox a strong right-handed bat to balance out a left-handed lineup, but he could also improve an infield defense that led the Majors in errors last season and was arguably the club’s most glaring weakness over the last three seasons. Here’s what Boston’s Opening Day lineup could look like: While Bregman has been an excellent third baseman throughout his career, his best fit based on Boston’s current lineup is at second base, a position where the Red Sox have lacked consistency since Dustin Pedroia’s career essentially ended due to injury following the 2017 season.

Star hitter Rafael Devers has been Boston’s starting third baseman since he was called up to the major leagues in July 2017. Put Bregman in the outfield with Trevor Story, who is now healthy, and Boston’s outfield will be one of the best in the major leagues. Given Bregman’s athletic ability, it’s not hard to imagine him being able to move to second base with ease, a position he has held nine times in his career. The Red Sox will have plenty of time to iron things out before Opening Day on March 27 against the Rangers.