Third base remains a massive hole for the Boston Red Sox headed into the 2026 season. The team and Red Sox Nation hoped that Alex Bregman would return on a long-term deal, but the move that could've strengthened their infield for a half a decade did not come to fruition.
Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs on January 10, throwing all of Boston's offseason plans into question. Trading for Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras were win-now moves, and losing Bregman and not replacing him with Bo Bichette or an equal option could devastate their infield.
Even though it's been one of the slowest-moving offseasons in MLB history by most accounts, the external backup options are dwindling.