Trevor Story and Alex Bregman both have options in their contracts, and how they handle them will go a long way toward shaping the Boston offseason, in several different areas.
The Boston Red Sox saw their season end on Thursday with a 4-0 loss against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League wild card series.
With that, it's onto the offseason, where the Red Sox will try to figure out how to improve upon an 89-win season and a third-place finish in the American League East.
And two veterans hold major keys to the offseason: Trevor Story and Alex Bregman. Both players contain player options, and what they do with them influences everything else.
The basics
Story signed a six-year deal before the 2022 season. Though he spent much of the first three years hurt, he rebounded in a big way this season, hitting .263 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He's got two years and $50 million guaranteed on his deal. At 32 years old, does he think he can get one more contract that is bigger than that, or does he want to take the sure money?
Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million last offseason, but he has opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Two years and $80 million is hard to walk away from, but he could be looking at a bigger deal on the market after his .273, 18-homer season. He's 31 years old, almost 32, and has been to the playoffs nine times in 10 years.
The issues at hand
The Red Sox have two young infielders that are ready to play and contribute. Kristian Campbell, who made the team on Opening Day and signed a contract extension before being sent to Triple-A, will have to see playing time in 2026. Marcelo Mayer, who was a Top 10 prospect in baseball at the time of his promotion in May, is also slated for a starting role. He ended the year injured. Both players are infielders.
If both Story and Bregman opt-out, then Campbell can play second and Mayer can play short, with the team needing a third baseman.
If Story stays, and Bregman opts-out, then Campbell can play second and Mayer can play third.
If Bregman stays, and Story opts-out, then Campbell can play second and Mayer can play short.
If both stay? Then Mayer likely plays second, and Campbell?
The outfield
The Red Sox tried Campbell in the outfield earlier this season, so they could push him there. But what about Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu? There isn't room for all of them.
The team could trade Duran, as has been rumored, but they'd still be left with one outfielder too many. Could one of them move to designated hitter?
How about Masataka Yoshida?
The veteran hitter, who had the game-winning hit in Game 1 of the wild card series, has two years and $36 million left on his contract. Could the team move on from him? They'd be sacrificing a good bat, but it would help alleviate the log jam.
And how about the money?
If Story, Bregman or both opt-out, it should be noted the Red Sox will have a ton of money to spend. This is in addition to the savings from trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in June. While losing Story and Bregman could hurt, the savings could make for an exciting offseason on the free agent or trade front.
CHAPMAN SENDS YANKS TO HISTORIC LOW: After getting out of a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the ninth inning on Tuesday, Aroldis Chapman sent his former club into a historic group all by themselves. CLICK HERE:
GETTING AGGRESSIVE: With multiple pitchers set to leave in free agency or need time recovering from injury, the Red Sox are expected to heavily pursue pitching in the offseason. CLICK HERE:
THE STREAK: Ten years in the league, nine years in the playoffs. Welcome to the life of Alex Bregman. CLICK HERE:
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