Alex Bregman, Trevor Story hold keys to Red Sox offseason with opt-out clauses

NEW YORK — The Red Sox will enter the offseason after a crushing first-round loss in the American League Wild Card round, falling to their archrivals, the New York Yankees, 4-0 in Game 3 on Thursday night.

Boston will enter the next few weeks with two key veteran players, cornerstones of the left side of the infield, with the ability to opt out of their contracts and test free agency. Alex Bregman’s and Trevor Story’s decisions over their contracts could reshape the identity of the club.

Bregman, 31, signed a deferred three-year, $120 million contract in February, has two years and $80 million remaining on his deal (and an opt-out after the 2026 season). Story has two years and $55 million remaining on his six-year, $140 million contract he signed in 2022. If Story were to opt out, the Sox can void that decision by tacking on an extra year (2028) and will pay him an extra $20 million.

Minutes after the season came to a screeching halt, neither Bregman nor Story would commit to their futures in Boston. Both players will need to make their decision five days after the conclusion of the World Series.

“Not even thinking about that at all right now. Thinking about the game that just happened,” Bregman said. "I’m gonna think about this game and the guys in the room and start my offseason. Get after it and become a better baseball player."

Bregman was the last player to remain in his Red Sox uniform, sitting at his locker, staring blankly into his phone for minutes after he spoke with the media. As he began to process the tough Game 3 loss, there was one quote from his postgame scrum that stood out the most.

"It was an honor to wear this jersey," Bregman said. It's difficult to infer what a player is thinking when they're in the raw moment, but he certainly could have sent a subliminal message to the Sox' front office. 

Bregman, a Scott Boras client, excelled in his first year in Boston and looked like a prime opt-out candidate before he suffered a quad injury back in May. Prior to his injury, the All-Star third baseman hit .299 with 11 homers and posted a .938 OPS in 51 games. He missed seven weeks and completely cooled off at the plate, hitting just .250 with seven homers and 27 RBI, and owned a .727 OPS in the second half.

He also scuffled at the plate in the month of September, hitting just .216 with two homers and nine RBI with 12 strikeouts in 88 at-bats.

Story is coming off his most successful season in Boston, powering the Sox’ offense over the final four months of the season. The veteran shortstop hit .263 with a team-leading 25 homers while driving in 96 RBI in 157 games.

A healthy Story reminds Sox fans why he was one of the most electrifying middle infielders in the game—turning double plays with ease, driving balls into the Monster seats, and stabilizing a defense that too often unraveled without him.

If he were to opt out of his deal, the Red Sox have Marcelo Mayer, who can play shortstop. The rookie has had issues staying on the field the last three seasons. Mayer missed the final six weeks of the year with wrist surgery. If he were to take over the reins at shortstop, Mayer offers the Red Sox the potential of an elite defender with plenty of upside offensively. The concern for the California native is whether he can stay upright and complete a full professional baseball season.

If Story comes back, Mayer could be a candidate to play second base, but will likely battle with Kristian Campbell in spring training.

Boston’s front office, led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, faces a winter of heavy decisions. Do they open the vault to keep both veterans in place, effectively doubling down on a core that just tasted the postseason but didn’t advance? Or do they risk letting at least one walk, betting that a new wave of prospects can carry the torch?

Many within the Sox’ front office expected Bregman to opt out of his deal before he went on the injured list. His leadership and postseason experience will be attractive to teams this winter. Bregman and Boras were open to a contract extension earlier in the season.

“I always tell the team—and Alex directs me to tell them—we’re always open to any conversation,” said Boras, in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey back in late June. “Any player who plays well somewhere, it’s something that’s important for the team and important for the player. It’s an additive.”

Boston has the money to bring Bregman back on a new deal, and it would make sense to find a way to re-sign the infielder, given they traded Rafael Devers this past season.

Bregman was a mentor to the Red Sox’ young players, spending his time with Mayer, Campbell, and Roman Anthony during the spring. Bregman traveled with the young players on the bus to spring training games. After Anthony’s promotion, the team gave their top prospect a locker between Bregman’s and Jarren Duran’s lockers in the clubhouse.

Red Sox fans will debate whether the two veterans should be back in Boston. Fenway’s Faithful, dealing with the sting of a postseason defeat, know the gravity of the moment and the key decisions looming. Bregman brought leadership and a winning swagger, something that the club has lacked over the years. Story had one complete healthy season and is a veteran leader that young players gravitate towards.

If it were up to Story, he would bring back Bregman in a heartbeat, making him his top offseason priority.

“You saw the impact he had on this organization on the field and off the field, leadership-wise,” Story said of Bregman. “All of it. He’s a special player and a special mind. Obviously, very sought-after. He helped us get to where we are today, and hopefully, we can help him for a long time.

“It’s huge. A guy who has been in the postseason nine years in a row. It’s important to have experienced guys, especially in the postseason, and he’s obviously a huge part of this team. I think he’s a huge priority.”

If the Sox lose them both, the club will need to dip into free agency to replace their leadership and will need to fill the void of their right-handed bats. Boston is already desperately needs a slugger for the middle of their lineup, and it should be one of Breslow’s focuses this winter. If Story opts into his deal and the Sox bring back Bregman, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso would be an attractive power bat to stabilize Boston's lineup. 

The two players' opt-out clauses were written years ago as mere footnotes. Now, they read like ultimatums. The Red Sox season ended in the Bronx. Their real fight begins this winter, across negotiating tables, with millions of dollars on the line and the future of what the Red Sox will look like for years to come.