The Red Sox finally made it back to the postseason this year, though their third place finish in the AL East and a quick exit in the Wild Card Series at the hands of the Yankees leaves fans hoping for more in 2026.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Garrett Crochet, LHP: $166MM through 2031 (deal includes conditional $15MM club option for 2032; can opt out after 2030)
- Roman Anthony, OF: $125MM through 2033 (deal includes $30MM club option for 2034)
- Brayan Bello, RHP: $50.5MM through 2029 (includes $1MM buyout on $21MM club option for 2030)
- Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF: $47MM through 2032 (includes $4MM buyout on $19MM club option for 2033, deal includes $21MM club option for 2034)
- Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/2B: $46MM through 2031 (includes $4MM buyout on $16MM club option for 2032)
- Masataka Yoshida, DH: $36MM through 2027
- Jordan Hicks, RHP: $24MM through 2027
- Aroldis Chapman, LHP: $13.3MM through 2026 (includes $300K buyout on $13MM vesting option for 2027)
- Patrick Sandoval, LHP: $12.75MM through 2026
- Garrett Whitlock, RHP: $8.25MM through 2026 (includes $1MM buyout on $8.25MM club option for 2027, deal includes $10.5MM club option for 2028)
Option Decisions:
- Alex Bregman, 3B: Will opt out of $80MM through 2027 ($40MM deferred)
- Trevor Story, SS: Can opt out of final $50MM through 2027. If opt out exercised, Red Sox can either void it by exercising $25MM club option or pay Story a $5MM buyout.
- Lucas Giolito, RHP: $19MM mutual option with $1.5MM buyout.
- Liam Hendriks, RHP: $12MM mutual option with $2MM buyout.
- Jarren Duran, OF: $8MM club option with $100K buyout. Eligible for arbitration if option is declined.
Total 2026 commitments: $168.9MM
Total future commitments: $662.4MM
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; salary projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Nathaniel Lowe (5.145): $13.5MM
- Tanner Houck (4.100): $3.95MM
- Jarren Duran (3.155): $8.4MM (if club option declined)
- Kutter Crawford (3.136): $2.75MM
- Romy Gonzalez (3.083): $1.8MM
- Connor Wong (3.079): $1.6MM
- Triston Casas (3.032): $1.7MM
- Josh Winckowski: (3.003): $800K
- Brennan Bernardino (2.150): $1.1MM
- Non-tender candidates: Lowe, Houck, Wong, Winckowski
Free Agents
Much of Boston's offseason will be dictated by the opt out decisions made by the left side of the club's infield. Alex Bregman is already expected to opt out of his contract and return to the open market, but it's not yet clear whether or not Trevor Story will follow in those footsteps. With no locked in starter at second base and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow unwilling to commit to Triston Casas at first base for next year, it's not impossible to imagine a scenario where the Red Sox are looking to reshape their entire infield as they look for defensive upgrades.
At the very least, they'll need to either re-sign or replace Bregman. Re-signing the veteran coming off his third career All-Star appearance may prove to be the most sensible course of action. While he'll be seeking a true long-term deal this winter as he heads into his age-32 campaign, it would be difficult to find the sort of production Bregman offers elsewhere. Just three third basemen (Jose Ramirez, Junior Caminero, and Isaac Paredes) posted a higher wRC+ than Bregman's 125 this year, and Fangraphs' Def metric pegs Bregman as the seventh-most valuable defensive third baseman in baseball this year despite a quad injury limiting him to just 114 games.
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Imanaga isn’t a free agent yet
Alex Bregman: Let him walk.
Trevor Story: Keep under club option.
Jarren Duran: Pick up option.
Nathaniel Lowe: Trade/non-tender, as he’s redundant with Casas.
Add 1 reliable SP.
Don’t understand how letting Bregman makes you any better both on and off the field. No timetable for Casas to return.
Even with his substantial yearly injuries, several teams would like Bregman’s next 2+ playing years.
But is this really worth signing him to a 7 yr deal, that quickly becomes an albatross contract in 2 or 3 yrs?
Sure, if they think can win over the next few years. Big market teams constantly sign these risky long-term contracts because they’re profitable. Every one is an albatross if you’re adverse to risk and competing.
Im not sure bregman is finding a 7 year this offseason, given age and his time injured.
Most offers will likely be 4-5 year range, and they’ll pull teeth trying to get a 6th isn’t he more likely outcome.
Twice in 10 years hes missed over 20 games. Not sure how that qualifies as substantial yearly injuries.
Recency bias with most people I guess.
Let him walk!
Time to pull the ripcord on Casas.
No if story opts out you let him walk
Lowe is not redundant since nothing about casas career leads me to think he’s going to stay healthy, we need an option at first that can make up for triston’s season ending injury this year
I had thought Lowe was a free agent. Obviously he is going to be covering first base if Casas is not ready and will likely platoon with him even if he is coming back. I was waiting to see if they would go after Naylor or another first baseman with solid offense, but not with Lowe on the roster.
Bregman is going to depend on what kind of contract he is looking for. I would imagine it is about 50/50 that he comes back.
They really need a power hitter who has the potential to hit a home run every time he comes to the plate. That is something they really lack and all of the top teams in the playoffs usually have.
Agree that a #2 starting pitcher is critical to October success.
Lowe is arbitration eligible. He is under team control, but at a $13.5 million estimate, he will be non-tendered. If the Red Sox sign Schwarber or Alonso for DH, they may decide to use a playoon of Romy Gonzalez and a lesser lefty at 1B. IMO, Story opts-in, and he and Marcelo Mayer share SS an 2B. The Red Sox will sign a 3B (or 2B if they prefer Mayer at 3B and a 2B is available). Duran will be traded for an upgrade elsewhere.
The Sox already have Yoshida as DH so unless they trade him or move him back to the outfield they don’t have space for a full time DH.
I saw that Lowe was arbitration eligible and that they may need to pay over $13 million. That is still probably the cheapest option as a backup with some pop if Casas is not ready. I don’t think we can assume they will non-tender him. That is a possibility especially if they go after someone like Naylor or even Alonso. I assume they will keep Romy as more the super utility guy, but he can certainly be a part time option at 1st.
The priority should be a #2 starter and if they lose Bregman a power bat. I just don’t see them going for Schwarber or they would not have let him go back when he was still a serviceable outfielder. Now he is going to be looking for a big contract and he really should be strictly a DH.
If the Red Sox want to do anything in the post season Yoshida will not be their DH in 2026! Lowe will be non-tender, and if the Red Sox want him, they can sign him for less than $13 million. That is why the Nationals released him in 2025. If he had more value than his salary, they would have traded him. He evidently did not. Romy was not a super utility in 2025. He played almost exclusively 1B and 2B. That is not super utility. The Red Sox have said he is better at 1B than 2B.
We will see what happens. Maybe the term super utility was not the best wording, but Romy hits well and will do whatever is asked.
I am not saying that Lowe is my top choice, but from something I read earlier in the season I got the feeling that the Sox wanted him more than just to finish the season. The team that released him may have been asking too much and his offense did improve in the very small sample size he was with the Sox. You may be correct in the assumption that his arbitration number is higher than what they will pay and it is all moot point if they go after Alonso or Naylor.
I don’t think there is any chance that they release Yoshida or trade him for nothing besides dumping his salary. Remember he does have value in attracting future Japanese players to the Sox. If they find a power hitter that they can plug in someplace else, I do think Yoshida has value as a hitter who usually makes contact and has a high on base percentage when healthy.
Putting together the strongest pitching staff is going to have more of an impact on success in the playoffs. That is where the most effort/money needs to go.
Unfortunately, I do not believe Yoshida has value for attracting additional Japanese talent.
My impression is that he was unhappy with his role and how the red Sox handled him, but, given cultural differences and his maturity level he doesnt express it in childish ways like other former red Sox did.
That would be unfortunate. I think it is a market the Sox need to tap into, but so far they have not been able to attract anyone recently aside from overpaying for Yoshida. Obviously the Dodgers are the biggest draw.
not happy with having to pay to read the entire article. brutal !!
Buy a subscription. They’re really inexpensive.
Yes, and it was really a great article too.
I’m going Japanese
You really think so?
I’m surprised that there was no mention of Bregman’s clubhouse value which is a huge part of his appeal. I agree a 7 year deal would become an albatross in 3-4 years from now so I do not see them re-signing him despite his attributes
Bregman and Boras are on drugs if they think they’re getting a 7-year deal. Why the hell would any team sign Bregman to a high dollar contract through age 38?!! Being a good clubhouse guy isn’t worth that much of an overpay. Ans if you have to play that up that’s a clear sign that what you’re going to get on the field is going to disappoint.
Give Romy his money. He’s a valuable asset.
Romy is a solid UT guy so he’ll probably get a contract. He’s also not someone they should or need to break the bank for
Romy is still on arbitration; he’ll make way less than 2M.
Tell story if he stays he’s playing 2b next year
I expect Mayer to be at second if he is healthy. If Story stays he will likely remain at short for now.
Mistake for 2 reasons Imo
1) Mayer is the future
2) I want to give story every incentive to opt out
I think Story has value so I am not in a big hurry to see him go unless I know they are going to bring in someone better. He was one of the keys to the offense this year. He did have more errors than I would expect from someone who should be one of the better defensive players and he struck out way too much, so he was not perfect, but I would rather see Rafaela in center as I assume he would be the replacement.
Not sure what you mean Mayer is the future, do you mean he should not be in the majors yet?
I think his offense was a dead cats bounce
Mayer is the future
Gotta give Campbell somewhere the play
Use the savings on getting a sp2 like gray from stl
Campbell needs to stay at one position and be given a chance.
100%
Please don’t wait until everyone you want is signed elsewhere. Decide who is a priority and make bold moves.
Ironically this is where you can get the best deals
Boston on the rise! Big season coming! Grab a mid/top tier pitcher and an infield bat and we’re golden.
Red Sox lineup 2026
1. (L) Roman Anthony – LF
2. (R) Alex Bregman – 3B
3. (L) Kyle Schwarber – DH
4. (R) Pete Alonso – 1B
5. (L) Wilyer Abreu – RF
6. (R) Trevor Story – SS
7. (L) Marcelo Mayer – 2B
8. (R) Ceddanne Rafaela – CF
9. (R) Carlos Narvaez – C
Reserves
1. (R) Romy Gonzalez
2. (R) Kristian Campbell
3. (R) Connor Wong
4. (R) Jhostynxon Garcia
Pitchers
1. Garrett Crochet – LHP
2. Freddy Peralta – RHP / Joe Ryan – RHP
3. Brayan Bello – RHP
4. Peyton Tolle – LHP
5. Connelly Early – LHP
Relief Pitchers
1. Justin Slaten – RHp
2. Patrick Sandoval – LHP
3. Kyle Harrison – LHP
4. Zack Kelly – RHP
5. Justin Wilson – LHP (need to resign)
6. Garrett Whitlock – RHP (8th inning)
7. Aroldis Chapman – LHP (Closer)
Traded Players:
1. Jaren Duran
2. Masataka Yoshida
Not Resigned / Optioned
1. Nate Eaton
2. Rob Refsnyder
3. Nick Sogard
4. David Hamilton
5. Nathaniel Lowe
6. Steven Matz
7. Dustin May
8. Hunter Dobbins
9. Lucas Giolito
Going to keep posting this in hopes someone in the Red Sox organization reads it and follows it. lol
Bregman, Schwarber AND Alonso????. No shot — for a lot of reasons KA not leaving Philly, Bregman not getting 5/6 years from RS and Sox likely not outbidding NYM for PA. In addition to all that outlay for FA — sox will have to eat money to move Yoshida. Not happening…
Package up Casas, Yoshida, and Duran for your #2 pitcher (saving a bunch of payroll), and be willing to exceed the cap a bit and all you are adding payroll wise is part of Schwarber & Alonso. It’s very doable financially, even if they need to exceed the cap for a year or two. They more than make that money up with a deep playoff run.
And I can tell you without a doubt, no pitchers want to face that lineup right there, and every pitcher on the market wants to pitch behind that lineup. Go create a 3-5 year dynasty while the window is open and you have a bunch of these young guys on the cheap.
Casas, Duran, and yoshida will not give you a true #2 in return. Even paying major salary down, you might net a #3/4 type for that package.
Tolle is going to start in AAA to work on his secondaries probably see him sometime around the middle of the season.
I do think that Breslow will sign or trade for a number 2 potential type.
There is no chance that Breslow will get the go ahead from ownership to sign Bregman, Schwarber, and Alonzo. The best I could see is maybe two out of those three with instead of Schwarber maybe Bichette. More likely it will be one of the three my guess is Bregman. There might be a lesser signing or two as well but Boston fans are dreaming if they think the Red Sox are going to take on 100 million plus in payroll.
I don’t see them trading Yoshida. He is too valuable for what they would get. If healthy I think he will have a big offensive year. Like others have said there is no way they are going to sign three big money hitters. I think there is potential for them to hang onto Lowe at first unless Bregman goes and they go after Alonso for first and potentially give someone else an opportunity at 3rd.
They will likely need to put money into locking up whoever they get as their #2 starter. Tolle has not shown he is ready for the majors, so they need a solid 4 or 5 pitcher. I have not heard anything about the status of Sandoval, but you are missing a few of the other relief pitchers who were dependable last year. We also still have Hicks which they will probably continue to work on in spring and see if they can get him straightened out.
I doubt Lowe comes back unless he is non tendered and signs for a reduced rate.
I may be overvaluing Lowe’s potential. Part of it will depend on the other moves they make.
Uncle – you are dreaming. Yoshida was not a MLB quality DH as his OPS was sub .700!
He was coming back from an injury and played a limited number of games. He had some big hits toward the end. I am not saying he is going to give you the production of Schwarber or Alonso, but they are not going to just give away Yoshida and spend a ton on another DH. You need to consider the types of moves they have done recently.
Good luck to Alex Cora in the New York City Marathon today. As a 1981-1983 finisher when the Red Sox were terrible, I hope it’s a good sign. For what it’s worth, I qualified for Boston in early 2004, obviously ending the curse. You’re welcome.
They’re wrong about Connor Wong. He played most of the season with a broken left pinkie and a bone growth in his right wrist. I’ve seen what he can do when he’s healthy and looking forward to it again.
This article reads that is locked unless you are a “Front Office” subscriber, of which I am not. Yet, I can read it? Any thoughts?
Never mind. I didn’t see the ad at the end soliciting my membership.