The Athletic poll of 36 MLB insiders underscores the leadership void left behind in Boston with Alex Bregman signing with the Chicago Cubs.
No front office wants the label "most irreplaceable" attached to a departing player, but that's where the Boston Red Sox stand this winter.
According to a poll by The Athletic of 36 MLB insiders, ex-Red Sox star Alex Bregman was named the league’s “most irreplaceable subtraction” of the offseason, highlighting the broad impact of his departure.
Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs in January after only one season in Boston, earning 11 votes in the poll - just ahead of Pete Alonso. The result reflects how his influence extended far beyond statistics.
“He’s more than just a baseball player. He’s the most magnetic personality in every clubhouse he enters,” Jayson Stark wrote. “So you can replace his at-bats. You can stick someone else at third base. You can divvy up his money. But, as our voters clearly conveyed, when it comes to all the other stuff, you can’t replace that.”
This explains why Bregman’s exit continues to resonate.
Boston added established players this winter, but losing a personality and leader like Bregman is fundamentally different than losing production. His presence, preparation, and influence quickly shaped a young clubhouse.
Feb 11, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs Alex Bregman (3) hits live batting practice during spring training camp at Sloan Park. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)The timing only amplified the challenge.
The organization had already traded longtime cornerstone Rafael Devers last summer, leaving a leadership vacuum that Bregman helped stabilize during his lone season.
Boston moved to address the on-field side with a trade for Caleb Durbin, but replacing presence is far less straightforward than replacing WAR.
Bregman has long been seen as a culture driver, raising standards through his routines and intensity - a role he filled with the Astros, and Boston hoped would anchor its competitive window for the length of whatever deal they were going to put in place this winter.
Now, the Red Sox hope new veterans and rising leaders fill that void. This strategy can work, but rarely overnight, and often takes time to find a unifying voice.
The poll reminds us that while rosters change on paper, some departures create ripple effects well beyond Opening Day. For Boston, this recognition for Bregman confirms his unique and lasting influence.
Replacing numbers is one thing. Influence is another.
Sep 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez (75) celebrates with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays with third baseman Alex Bregman (2) as relief pitcher Payton Tolle (70) slaps hands with first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (37) at Rogers Centre. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.