Red Sox Facing Offensive Questions Heading Into Spring Training

Boston failed to adequately replace Alex Bregman's production in the offseason, raising concerns about their lineup.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Boston Red Sox had an active offseason, bolstering their starting rotation but failing to address the void left by the departure of All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. With spring training underway, the Red Sox's biggest question heading into the season is whether they have neglected their offense and will struggle to replace Bregman's production.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are expected to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, but their ability to compete for a playoff spot could hinge on whether they can generate enough offense to support their strong rotation. Failing to adequately replace a star player like Bregman could prove costly for a team with championship aspirations.

The details

The Red Sox traded for first baseman Willson Contreras but did not make any major additions to their lineup beyond that. They brought in infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin in recent weeks, but will need more production from within, potentially relying on a breakout season from young outfielder Roman Anthony.

  • The Red Sox's offseason moves were made in preparation for the 2026 MLB season, which is set to begin in late March.

The players

Alex Bregman

A three-time All-Star third baseman who left the Red Sox in free agency to join the Chicago Cubs.

Garrett Crochet

A key member of the Red Sox's revamped starting rotation.

Ranger Suárez

Another new addition to the Red Sox's starting rotation.

Sonny Gray

A veteran pitcher who was acquired by the Red Sox to bolster their starting rotation.

Willson Contreras

An All-Star first baseman who was traded to the Red Sox this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“The mirror universe of the Orioles is right there in Boston, where the Red Sox prioritized run prevention at the expense of their offense during the winter.”

— Zachary Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

“Most notably, they lost Alex Bregman and basically shrugged at replacing him.”

— Zachary Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Red Sox will need to closely monitor their lineup production during spring training and may need to explore additional trades or free agent signings to bolster their offense before the start of the regular season.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's offseason focus on improving their pitching staff could backfire if they are unable to generate enough offense to support their strong rotation. Replacing the production of a star player like Alex Bregman will be crucial to the team's success in 2026.