Fenway Fest is in full swing. The fan event revealed many interesting stories through interviews with various players and managers. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights, including the support show Alex Bregman from a former teammate and surprisingly candid from a midfielder with an uncertain future.
The Bregman update, of course
President of baseball operations Craig Breslow can’t seem to go a day without answering questions about a third free agent. “We will do our best to add more case,” Breslow told reporters, including Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. “We saw the impact Alex (Bregman) had last year, on the field, in the clubhouse, in the community, a person who fits our team well, he is still there, which means we have a chance..”
ESPN’s Buster Olney report last weekend the club held a program “aggressive“The Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Tigers have also been linked to the 31-year-old free agent. Bregman opted out of the three-year, $120MM deal he signed with the Red Sox last season in pursuit of a more lucrative contract.
It’s not just the front office looking to reunite with Bregman. The one who plays outside Roman Anthony expressed support, highlighting the work Bregman does with young players. “I would like to have him back,” Anthony told reporters including A star. “He was … a big part of my success. And a lot of the young guys, and not just the young guys, but a lot of the guys in the clubhouse … we’re all on the same page about where we stand with him and what we hope to happen..” Anthony cited Bregman’s preparation knowledge and offensive approach as beneficial to him in his rookie season.
Injuries limited Bregman to 114 games in his one season in Boston, but he was very productive when available. He slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs among 495 plate appearances. Bregman delivered his usual solid work with the glove at the hot corner. He earned his third All-Star selection.
Foreign trade sounds doubtful
Boston appears to have four players out of three spots heading into the season. Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreuagain Ceddanne Rafaela all have shown enough to earn everyday roles. One of them could step in at DH, but that would cut down on playing time Masataka Yoshida again Places to stay in Triston Casas. Despite the apparent strength at the position, and rumors that Duran was attracting interest, Breslow dismissed the idea that a trade was on the table.
“It had never occurred to me,” Breslow told reporters, including MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “We have really good foreign players. When teams call, that’s what other managers point to. They are small, maneuverable, powerful, skilled, and can affect games in many ways. It’s really nice to be able to say that they are also members of the Boston Red Sox.”
The manager Alex Cora also provided more context about the outfield, telling reporters he prefers Rafaela in center and Abreu in right field, even when facing left-handed pitching. Breslow has previously expressed a desire to keep Rafaela in the center. He spent time at second base and shortstop the past two seasons. Rafaela is an amazing outfielder, earning a Golden Glove for his mediocre efforts this past season. Abreu also received the Golden Glove in 2025, his second time receiving this award. He will probably be on the field when he plays. Interesting same hand comment. The lefty-swinging Abreu had just 68 plate appearances against southpaws last season. He hit just .205 vs. lefties in his work.
If Cora gets his wish, both Rafaela and Abreu are regulars in the outfield, Anthony and Duran will man the left field and DH. It’s hard to imagine former top prospect Anthony missing much playing time without a day off. Duran is out in 2025, but he was one of the league’s offensive linemen in 2024. It will be difficult for Cora to juggle next season without going through the motions.
Injury updates
Casas is coming back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. He told reporters, including MassLive’s Christopher Smiththat he is unsure whether he will be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign. “Right now, I’m not too sure. I’m not trying to get ahead, but I see myself improving well enough to maybe get into some spring training games. We’ll see how that goes because that’s a benchmark as well.”
Boston is for sale Wilson Contreras manning first base, which leaves Casas’ role in question once he’s healthy. The aforementioned logjam in the outfield doesn’t help. Casas seems to be taking Contreras’ addition lightly, however. “He is a better player than me and has been throughout his career. The promotion that has been lacking for the past two years is exactly what the club needed.” (submitted by Cotillo)
A few more quick hits in the health department…
- Marcelo Mayer expects to be fully ready for Spring Training. His 2025 season was cut short by a wrist injury in August. “I’m pretty much doing a full baseball career, like normal pitching, like I would in the regular season going into spring training.,” said Mayer.
- Anthony is also expected to be ready to go in the spring. An oblique injury cost him dearly in September and throughout the postseason. The team believed they could have made it back to the ALCS, but they were eliminated in the ALDS.
- Cutter Crawford he is on course to return to action for the first time since 2024. He missed last season with knee and wrist problems. “At this point, it’s normal progression,” Crawford said.I went down the slope yesterday, and I feel great. And now we’re just making progress on the mound.”
- Carlos Narvaez had knee surgery at the start of the season, but told the media thatincluding Smith) would come in the spring.
Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images
