According to current and former MLB executives, as well as managers, coaches, and scouts from around the league, the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets lost the most “irreplaceable” players this offseason.
Going into the MLB offseason, both the Red Sox and the NY Mets knew they were going to have to battle it out to hold on to All-Star free agents Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. Both had very good seasons in 2025, and the pair had the chance to take those strong performances back into the free agent market in the winter. Both men did.
Yet, the Red Sox and NY Mets were still seen as favorites to retain both, until they weren’t. Alonso picked his home first, and to the dismay of diehard Mets fans, he decided to take his talents down the I-95 and join the Baltimore Orioles on a five-year pact worth $155 million.
Just like the previous offseason, Bregman took a lot of time to make his choice. Unfortunately, for Boston fans, he chose to make his tenure with the Red Sox a one-off and took a five-year deal worth $175 million from the Chicago Cubs.
Heading into the new season, the NY Mets — Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco — and the Red Sox — Marcelo Mayer — feel they can replace the loss of Bregman and Alonso. However, many in and around the league don’t buy it.
Red Sox and NY Mets won’t be able to replace Bregman and Alonso in 2026?
On Wednesday, The Athletic released the results of a survey asking 36 executives, former executives, managers, coaches, and scouts, what was the “Most irreplaceable subtractions of the winter?” Boston and New York led the way. Having double or more votes than the team behind them (the Cubs). The Red Sox received 11 votes while the NY Mets had 10.
“I think losing him hurts the core young guys in Boston,” one voter said. “I have to go with Bregman because of everything he brings, even off the field,” another added.
As for Alonso, a rival exec suggests the O’s probably overpaid for Alonso, but he was still a major loss for the NY Mets.
“I wouldn’t view the contract as a good value, nor do I believe it will age well,” the exec said. “But I do think his combination of power/performance and character is tough to replace.”
“Every year, starting in February, you penciled in his numbers. You knew what you were getting. And when you take that out of your lineup, that big run-producing bat, that’s a big hole. That’s huge,” a second exec claimed.
