MLB Insider Makes Early Free Agency Predictions For Two Red Sox Stars
Will Alex Bregman and Trevor Story opt out?
The Boston Red Sox have done a great job signing their stars to contract extensions lately, recently locking up Roman Anthony, Garrett Crochet, Aroldis Chapman and others. However, two of their best players — Alex Bregman and Trevor Story — could potentially opt out this winter and become free agents.
In an article for ESPN.com on Thursday, MLB insider Jeff Passan made some early free agent predictions for numerous stars, including Bregman and Story.
Passan expects Bregman, who signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox last offseason, to opt out and become a free agent again.
“Because his deal included opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, Bregman could be playing elsewhere in 2026,” Passan writes. “Barring an injury or catastrophic slump, he will opt out and join (Kyle) Tucker and (Kyle) Schwarber in a clear top tier among this winter’s free agents.”
A Scott Boras client, Bregman will likely test the market again and try to score a bigger contract after bouncing back from a down 2024. Despite missing time with injuries, the 31-year-old third baseman made his third career All-Star team and has his best OPS (.849) since 2019.
If Bregman does opt out, Boston could still try to re-sign him. Despite recently pausing extension negotiations to focus on his play, he likes playing for the Red Sox and has expressed interest in returning.
Passan does not expect Story, who turns 33 in November and has battled injuries the last few seasons, to opt out of his six-year, $140 million deal, which still has two years and $55 million remaining.
“The lack of shortstop depth in the class makes it tempting, but the combination of what Story is owed (two years, $55 million) and his age (33 next year) is too risky to give up, even after a strong comeback season,” writes Passan.
Even if Story wins AL Comeback Player of the Year, he’ll likely stay put given his age, injury history and inconsistent track record.
Time will tell what happens this winter, but the left side of Boston’s infield could look significantly different next year depending on how free agency shakes out.
