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Red Sox's biggest 'offseason regret' includes Alex Bregman, Willson Contreras
TL;DR
The Boston Red Sox are struggling in the 2026 season, ranking 29th in the Majors with only 11 home runs. Their offseason decisions, particularly letting Alex Bregman walk and replacing him with Willson Contreras, are being criticized as major regrets.
Red Sox's biggest 'offseason regret' includes Alex Bregman, Willson Contreras originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox are off to a troubling start to the 2026 season.
A lack of power could be a significant reason why. As of Wednesday morning, the Red Sox ranked 29th in the Majors with just 11 home runs. Only the San Francisco Giants have hit less with nine.
FanSided's Zachary Rotman noted Tuesday that minimal sluggers in the lineup could be Boston's biggest regret.
"It felt like the Boston Red Sox lacked power in 2025, particularly after trading Rafael Devers away," Rotman wrote. "They then proceeded to let Alex Bregman, the player who ranked third on the team in home runs despite missing substantial time due to injury, walk in free agency, and replace him with Willson Contreras as their big bat."
Bregman, who signed with the Chicago Cubs during the offseason, hit 18 home runs in 114 games in 2025. Contreras has hit 20 or more homers six times in his 11-year career. He hit three in his first 72 trips to the plate with Boston.
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"It's really hard to score runs consistently, particularly in October, when you can't hit for power. Stringing hits together against quality competition is really hard. Hitting home runs is how you score efficiently," Rotman added. "Boston's inability to do that might cost them a chance at the postseason, and even if they get there, it's hard to take them seriously as contenders barring a major influx of power."
If the Red Sox are in contention at the trade deadline, perhaps power hitters are who chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should target.
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- Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
- Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade
- Shohei Ohtani deemed more valuable than Aaron Judge in recent ESPN discussion piece
Q&A
Why are the Boston Red Sox struggling in the 2026 season?
The Red Sox are struggling due to a lack of power, ranking 29th in the Majors with only 11 home runs.
What was the Red Sox's biggest offseason regret?
The biggest offseason regret for the Red Sox was allowing Alex Bregman to leave in free agency and replacing him with Willson Contreras.
How did the Red Sox's power ranking change after trading Rafael Devers?
After trading Rafael Devers, the Red Sox's power ranking declined significantly, contributing to their current struggles in hitting home runs.