Insider predicts how Alex Bregman, Trevor Story will handle player options with Red Sox this offseason
Bregman and Story both have player options for the 2026 season.
The left side of the Red Sox’ infield could look different in 2026.
Alex Bregman will likely opt out of his contract this offseason, barring “an injury or catastrophic slump,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. However, Passan predicted that Trevor Story will probably opt in and remain with the Red Sox for the final two years of his current deal.
Bregman has two years and $80 million remaining on the three-year pact he signed over the offseason, but can opt out in each of the next two offseasons. As Bregman instantly produced for the Red Sox, rumors began to swirl that he could sign an extension during the season. However, Bregman said in August that he was tabling extension talks with the team until the offseason.
With Bregman putting up All-Star numbers at the plate this season, Passan predicted he could receive a deal that’s at least five years long and worth $35 million or more per season. That could be a rich ask for a player at Bregman’s age as he’ll turn 32 at the start of the 2026 season. But Boston would roughly be $30 million under the first luxury tax threshold if Bregman were to opt out and Story were to opt in entering the offseason, according to Red Sox Payroll.
While Bregman has indicated he would like to remain in Boston (he even launched his own beer with Sam Adams in August), Passan noted that the Yankees, Phillies, and Tigers all seem to be likely suitors to try to pry him away from the Red Sox this winter. Of course, all three teams are contenders, and Bregman even considered signing with Detroit this past offseason.
Bregman is hitting .281 with a .849 OPS, 16 homers, and 54 RBIs in 95 games this season.
As for Story, he has two years and $55 million remaining on the six-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Red Sox in 2022. Even though Story can opt out this offseason, the Red Sox can negate that option by adding a seventh year to his deal for an extra $25 million in 2028.
Story, who’ll turn 33 in November, is in the midst of a career resurgence after struggling at the plate and dealing with injuries in his first three years with the Red Sox. In fact, his poor performance in May caused some speculation that he could get designated for assignment. But since the start of June, Story is 11th in the American League in batting average (.290), 18th in OPS (.851), and 19th in home runs (16).
If Story remains in Boston and Bregman departs in free agency, the Red Sox have a natural resolution to what they could do on the left side of the infield for the 2026 season. Marcelo Mayer primarily played third base during Bregman’s injury absence earlier this season, likely making him the favorite to replace the veteran All-Star if he were to leave.
If both Bregman and Story remain, that could complicate the short-term futures of Mayer and Kristian Campbell. Both players are likely candidates to be Boston’s starting second baseman on Opening Day next season, but might have to split time at that position or somewhere else on the diamond if Bregman and Story are still occupying third and shortstop, respectively.
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