The Red Sox finally returned to the playoffs this year, though they finished third in the AL East and were quickly eliminated by the Yankees in the Wild Card Series, giving fans more hope for 2026.
guarantee contract
- Garrett CrochetLHP: $166 before 2031 (deal includes conditional $15 club option for 2032; opt-out after 2030)
- Roman AnthonyOF: $125 through 2033 (deal includes $30 club option through 2034)
- Brian BelloRHP: $50.5MM through 2029 (includes $1MM buyout in 2030 with $21MM club option)
- Christian Campbell2B/OF: 47MM before 2032 (including 4MM buyout of 19MM club option in 2033, transaction includes 4MM buyout of 21MM club option in 2034)
- Saidan RafaelaOF/2B: 46MM before 2031 (including 4MM buyout of 16MM club option in 2032)
- Masataka YoshidaDH: $36MM by 2027
- Jordan HicksRHP: $24MM by 2027
- Aroldis ChapmanLHP: $13.3MM by 2026 (including $300K buyout of $13MM vesting options in 2027)
- Patrick SandovalLHP: $12.75MM by 2026
- Garrett WhitlockRHP: $8.25MM through 2026 (includes $1MM buyout of $8.25MM club option in 2027, deal includes $1MM buyout of $10.5MM club option in 2028)
Option decision:
- Alex Bregman3B: $80MM to opt out by 2027 ($40MM extension)
- Trevor StoreySS: There is an option to withdraw the final $50MM to 2027. If opting out, the Red Sox can cancel it by exercising their $25MM club option or pay Story a $5MM buyout.
- Lucas GiolitoRHP: 19MM reciprocal options, 1.5MM buyout.
- Liam HendricksRHP: $12MM reciprocal options, $2MM buyout.
- Jalen DuranOF: 8MM club option, $100K buyout. If election is denied, then eligible for arbitration.
Total 2026 commitments: $168.9MM
Total future commitments: $662.4MM
Arbitration-eligible players (service time in parentheses; salary projections provided by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
free agent
Much of Boston’s offseason will hinge on exit decisions made on the left side of the club’s infield. Alex Bregman He is expected to opt out of his contract and return to the open market, but it’s unclear if that will happen Trevor Storey Will follow in these footsteps. With second base starter not yet locked in, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow won’t commit Triston Casas At first base next year, it’s not hard to imagine the Red Sox reshaping the entire infield as they look to upgrade their defense.
At the very least, they need to re-sign or replace Bregman. Re-signing the veteran, who is making his third career All-Star appearance, might be the smartest move. While he will be seeking a true long-term deal this winter at age 32 during his campaign, it will be difficult to find the kind of product Bregman offers elsewhere. There are only three third basemen (Jose Ramirez, Junior Camineroand Isaac Paredes) has a higher wRC+ this year than Bregman’s 125, and Fangraphs’ Def Metrics ranks Bregman as the seventh-most valuable defensive third baseman in baseball this year, despite a quad injury that limited him to just 114 games.
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