3 Red Sox Players Fighting for New Contracts This Season

As the Boston Red Sox attempt to get back on track, these key contributors could earn big paydays with standout seasons.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:40pm

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The Boston Red Sox have generally done a good job of locking up their core players, but there are still several members of the team who could earn themselves lucrative new contracts with strong performances this season. The three players highlighted are starting pitcher Sonny Gray, outfielder Wilyer Abreu, and starting pitcher Connelly Early.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are looking to bounce back from a tough start to the season, and getting key contributions from players fighting for new deals could be crucial to their success. Additionally, these contract negotiations could shape the team's long-term roster and payroll decisions.

The details

Sonny Gray, a 37-year-old starting pitcher, is on a backloaded three-year deal and will almost certainly become a free agent after this season. If he pitches well, he could earn a big payday, though likely not from the Red Sox who have top pitching prospects to work into the rotation. Outfielder Wilyer Abreu and starting pitcher Connelly Early are both younger players who could earn extensions if they prove to be core pieces, though the Red Sox may be hesitant to meet their potential price tags.

  • The 2026 MLB season began on March 26th.
  • Sonny Gray's current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season.
  • Wilyer Abreu and Connelly Early are both under team control through their age-30 seasons.

The players

Sonny Gray

A 37-year-old starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who is on a backloaded three-year contract that expires at the end of the 2026 season.

Wilyer Abreu

A Red Sox outfielder who is under team control through his age-30 season and could earn a long-term extension if he proves to be a core piece of the roster.

Connelly Early

A Red Sox starting pitcher with less than two years of MLB service time who could earn an extension if he continues to develop and cement his spot in the rotation.

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What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to monitor the performances of Gray, Abreu, and Early throughout the 2026 season as they evaluate their long-term roster and payroll decisions.

The takeaway

The Red Sox have several key players who could earn lucrative new contracts this season, which could have significant implications for the team's roster and payroll moving forward. How these players perform will be crucial not only for their own futures, but also for the Red Sox's ability to bounce back from a tough start to the 2026 campaign.