The Red Sox enter the 2026 season with a so-called “problem” that most managers would gladly sign up for: too many talented outfielders and not enough spots to play them all. But for Alex Cora, that’s not a problem at all - it’s a luxury.
Boston held onto all four of its standout outfielders this offseason: Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. With only three outfield spots to go around, someone is going to be the odd man out - at least defensively.
That likely means some rotation at designated hitter, potentially bumping Masataka Yoshida from regular DH duties. But Cora isn’t losing sleep over it.
“It’s not a problem,” Cora told reporters. “I bet there’s 29 other managers that would love to have this outfield. Whoever is out there - Wily, Ceddanne, Jarren or Roman - is probably the best outfield in the big leagues.”
And he’s got a point. This group didn’t just look good on paper last season - they backed it up with elite-level production.
Boston’s outfield led all of Major League Baseball in both Defensive Runs Saved (52) and Outs Above Average (32), and it wasn’t particularly close. Rafaela and Abreu were rewarded with American League Gold Gloves in center and right field, respectively, a testament to just how airtight this unit was defensively.
Duran, who spent most of 2024 patrolling center, shifted to left field last year and didn’t miss a beat - he posted 11 DRS in his new spot. That move allowed Anthony, who was called up in June, to get regular at-bats as the designated hitter. But when he did get time in right field, the 21-year-old showed he’s more than capable with the glove as well.
Cora did experiment with one possible solution last season, sliding Rafaela over to second base to ease the outfield logjam. But that move didn’t stick.
Rafaela’s elite defense was missed in center, and the position change seemed to throw off his rhythm at the plate. The Red Sox appear to have learned their lesson - Rafaela is expected to stay put in center field this year, where his instincts and range make him one of the most valuable defenders in the game.
As for Abreu, Cora made it clear he views him as an everyday player, even with his struggles against left-handed pitching. That could leave Duran and Anthony rotating between left field and DH, depending on matchups and hot hands.
There’s no denying the challenge in finding enough playing time for four starting-caliber outfielders. But when all four can hit, run, and defend at a high level, it’s the kind of challenge that keeps a team competitive deep into the season. For Cora and the Red Sox, it’s not about choosing the best three - it’s about maximizing the value of all four.
If Boston’s outfield continues to perform the way it did last season, this “logjam” might just be the engine that drives their 2026 campaign.