The Boston Red Sox made some smart moves this offseason-but there’s no getting around it: missing out on Alex Bregman stings.
They did their best to pivot, reinforcing the rotation and bringing in infielder Caleb Durbin, a promising long-term piece. But Bregman would’ve been the ideal fit-on the field, in the lineup, and especially in the clubhouse.
His absence leaves a noticeable gap, and while Durbin has upside, he’s still in the early stages of his big-league journey. He’s not Bregman-at least not yet.
Where the Red Sox may feel it most is in leadership. Bregman isn’t just a high-end third baseman; he’s a tone-setter.
A 10-year veteran who’s been through the wars, he brings a level of preparation, insight, and presence that’s hard to replicate. Just ask the Cubs, who are already seeing the ripple effects of his arrival in spring training.
Whether it’s passing along pitch-tipping tells to relievers like Hoby Milner or mentoring young hitters like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bregman has made his presence felt early-and often.
Ken Rosenthal put it best: Bregman leads in a category that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet-call it “Secondary Teachings Above Replacement.” He’s the kind of teammate who improves the people around him, not just by example, but by intention. That’s rare, especially for a player of his caliber.
And that’s exactly what the Red Sox could use right now.
This is a team built around youth. The roster is loaded with recent top prospects and players still getting their legs under them in the majors.
Durbin, 26 this year, has just one season of MLB experience. Marcelo Mayer is still getting his feet wet.
For players like that, a veteran presence like Bregman’s could’ve been invaluable. His mentorship last season stretched far beyond the field-he even bought suits for Mayer and Roman Anthony, helping them carry themselves like pros before they ever stepped into the batter’s box.
Boston had other veteran voices in the room-Trevor Story, Jarren Duran, and catcher Willson Contreras among them-but none bring Bregman’s combination of playoff pedigree, leadership instincts, and day-to-day engagement. Story and Duran are still chasing their own milestones. Contreras, for all his experience behind the plate, hasn’t been known as a hands-on teacher in the same way.
Bregman, meanwhile, was like having a second manager in the dugout. He advised hitters and pitchers, helped young players adjust to the grind, and understood the bigger picture. That kind of presence is hard to quantify, but easy to notice once it’s gone.
And now, it is gone. Bregman’s leadership-what Rosenthal aptly called “The Bregman Experience”-is no longer part of Boston’s fabric.
That’s a tough loss for a team whose window to contend is wide open right now. Sure, they’ll miss his glove at third and his right-handed bat in the lineup, especially with the Green Monster looming in left.
But more than anything, they’ll miss the way he elevated the people around him.
The Red Sox have talent. They’ve got youth.
What they don’t have-anymore-is Bregman. And that might be the biggest loss of all.