Insider Lays Out Red Sox’s 2026 Projected Lineup Following Alex Bregman News

Despite their status as the only MLB team yet to sign a free agent this offseason, the Boston Red Sox have had a busy winter.

Following multiple big trades to acquire the likes of first baseman Willson Contreras and starting pitchers Johan Oviedo and Sonny Gray, the Red Sox saw All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman sign with the Chicago Cubs.

Boston is expected to continue pursuing two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette in free agency, but if the 27-year-old signs elsewhere and the Red Sox make no more major moves, what might their 2026 Opening Day lineup look like?

Beat reporter Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic discussed the topic on Monday.

“A team source noted the Red Sox are still pursuing another bat and will continue to explore free agency and the trade market. The options, however, are dwindling,” McCaffrey wrote. “Given the calendar and the dwindling options for adding another bat, the Red Sox may be left to work with what they have until the trade deadline.”

With manager Alex Cora recently revealing that Contreras will “probably” bat cleanup, here’s what McCaffrey envisions the Red Sox lineup looking like with Bregman out of the picture.

Jarren Duran, LF
Roman Anthony DH
Trevor Story, SS
Willson Contreras 1B
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Carlos Narvaez, C
Marcelo Mayer, 3B
Kristian Campbell, 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

Outside of Contreras, the rest of the starting nine would be returners.

The biggest difference between what Boston had in the lineup during their AL wild-card series loss vs. the New York Yankees in October and what fans are expected to see on Opening Day, however, is the return of star outfielder Roman Anthony.