Boston’s 89 wins was their most since the 2021 season, but it was only good enough for 3rd place in the AL East and an eventual Wild Card round loss to their rival Yankees. Boston projects to have gone over the tax threshold in 2025 for the first time in 4 seasons, and with their eyes set on bigger games, should be in line to dip right back into that well for 2026.

A Bright Spot
The 27-and-under club. SP Garrett Crochet was outstanding on the bump. CF Ceddanne Rafaela is a mini 5-tool player. RF Wilyer Abreu has now posted back-to-back big years. LF Roman Anthony hit the ground running (before injury). And SP Brayan Bello should remain at the top of the rotation in 2026.

A Big Concern
First Base. Triston Casas has now dealt with two injury-plagued seasons and is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The Hot Stove is steaming with the possibility of Pete Alonso joining Boston for the next ½ decade.

Related Links
2026 Red Sox Financials
MLB Offseason Guides

Pending Free Agents

Bregman opted-out of 2 years, $50M remaining and will be seeking both a raise, and a longer term guarantee this Winter. 

PLAYER MARKET VALUE
Alex Bregman (3B, 31) $27.6M
Rob Refsnyder (OF, 35) $4.25M
Dustin May (SP, 28) $3.8M
Steven Matz (SP, 34) $3.5M
Justin Wilson (RP, 38) $1.5M

Option Decisions

Story is expected to decline his early termination option and remain in the fold through 2027. Duran is a top trade name this winter, while Boston awaits word on Giolito’s $19M decision before they finalize priorities.

PLAYER OPTION SALARY
Trevor Story (SS, 32) ETO (2 yrs, $55M)
Jarren Duran (OF, 29) $8M club option ($100k)
Lucas Giolito (SP, 31) $19M mutual option ($1.5M buyout)
Liam Hendriks (RP, 36) $12M mutual option ($2M buyout)

Arbitration-Eligibility

Lowe was added in August after being granted his release from Washington, but did very little to make a name for himself in Boston down the stretch. He’s a fringe trade, but more likely a non-tender candidate this winter. Duran holds an $8M club option for 2026 that Boston is likely to exercise in lieu of going back through the arbitration process.

PLAYER PROJ. ARB SALARY
Nathaniel Lowe (1B, 30) $12.75M
Jarren Duran (OF, 29) $7.2M*
Tanner Houck (SP, 30) $4M
Kutter Crawford (SP, 30) $2.75M
Romy Gonzalez (2B, 29) $1.75M
Connor Wong (C, 30) $1.75M
Triston Casas (1B, 26) $1.5M
Brennan Bernardino (RP, 34) $1M
Josh Winckowski (RP, 28) $850k
Zack Kelly (RP, 31) $820k

Guaranteed Salary

There’s a lot of value to be had year with young, somewhat team-controlled extensions up and down this list. Yoshida is now a high-priced platoon OF/DH, with 2 years, $36M remaining on his contract. Campbell is another player to watch for here, as he spent much of 2025 trying to re-find his sea legs in the minors, and could be in for a change of scenery move this winter.

PLAYER CBT SALARY
Garrett Crochet (SP, 27) $28.3M
Masataka Yoshida (OF, 32) $18M
Roman Anthony (OF, 22) $16.25M
Aroldis Chapman (RP, 38) $13.3M
Jordan Hicks (RP, 29) $10.2M
Brayan Bello (SP, 27) $9.1M
Patrick Sandoval (SP, 29) $9.1M
Kristian Campbell (UTIL, 24) $7.5M
Ceddanne Rafaela (OF, 25) $6.25M
Garrett Whitlock (SP, 30) $4.6M

Team Tax Projections

Boston enters the offseason with a projected CBT payroll already north of $210M. There are trades and non-tenders forthcoming, but this certainly has the makings of a team that won’t let a tax threshold stop them from putting together a World Series contending roster this winter. You know, like the Red Sox of old.

Spotrac's 2026 MLB Offseason Previews