The 2026 Boston Red Sox have been a major disappointment through the first two months of the season. Could any of their exes have helped them avoid their dreadful start?
Several former Red Sox players have thrived in recent years with their new clubs. This year is no different, as multiple offseason departures have gone on to find success elsewhere.
Here’s a look at how several ex-Red Sox have performed so far this year:
Alex Bregman, 3B, Chicago Cubs
Were the Red Sox right to not re-sign Bregman in free agency? The veteran third baseman’s first season of his five-year, $140 million contract with the Cubs hasn’t gotten off to a great start. He’s hitting .259/.343/.356 with four homers and 16 RBI in 54 games.
In fairness, Boston’s replacement Caleb Durbin has been far worse at the plate, but it may have been wise to pass on paying the 32-year-old Bregman and instead use that money to sign left-hander Ranger Suarez.
Kyle Harrison, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
The Red Sox initially acquired Harrison as part of last year’s blockbuster Rafael Devers trade with the San Francisco Giants. A former top prospect, there was hope that he could return to form and eventually earn a spot in Boston’s starting rotation.
Instead, the Red Sox shipped him, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan to Milwaukee in exchange for Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler during the offseason. That deal hasn’t aged well so far, as Durbin has been dreadful at the plate and Harrison has been lights out on the mound.
Through 10 starts with the Brewers, Harrison boasts a 1.57 ERA and 1.026 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 14 walks. He has the lowest ERA in a pitcher’s first 10 starts with the Brewers, surpassing 2008 CC. Sabathia (1.59).
Shane Drohan, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
Drohan never made it to the majors for Boston, but he has carved out a role as a reliable reliever for Milwaukee. The 27-year-old has a 1.82 ERA and 0.932 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and four walks over nine relief appearances this season, making the Durbin trade even more of a bad look.
David Hamilton, INF, Milwaukee Brewers
Hamilton is slashing .223/.314/.256 with no homers, eight RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 43 games.
Vaughn Grissom, INF, Los Angeles Angels
Grissom, initially acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Chris Sale in Dec. 2023, was shipped to the Angels over the offseason. He still hasn’t found consistency at the MLB level, but it’s worth noting the 25-year-old blasted a go-ahead grand slam in Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers:
Grissom is slashing .233/.308/.379 with three homers and 19 RBI in 32 games. Primarily a second baseman for L.A., he has also played first and third.
Chris Sale, SP, Atlanta Braves
Most didn’t question the Red Sox’ decision to trade Sale to the Braves after the 2023 season. The veteran southpaw’s Boston tenure became marred by nagging injuries, and it appeared his best days were well behind him.
Well, so much for that. Sale won the National League Cy Young award in his first season with Atlanta, was elite again in 2025, and is firmly in the Cy Young race again so far in 2026. The 37-year-old has a 1.89 ERA and 0.871 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 14 walks through 10 starts.
Rafael Devers, 1B, San Francisco Giants
Devers has bounced back from an abysmal start to the season with an exceptional May. The former Red Sox slugger is hitting .300/.347/.589 with five homers and 17 RBI in 24 games this month.
Boston sure could use that kind of pop in its lineup right now, but the biggest issue with that Devers deal is the return. Harrison is gone and thriving in Milwaukee, Jordan Hicks was sent to the Chicago White Sox after a nightmare stint in Boston, and prospect James Tibbs II was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and is tearing it up in Triple-A. The only player the Red Sox received who is still with the organization is Single-A right-hander Jose Bello.
Dustin May, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Red Sox fans certainly aren’t losing sleep over letting Dustin May walk, but the righty tossed seven no-hit innings in his Tuesday start against Milwaukee:
Overall, the Red Sox’ 2025 trade deadline addition has been up and down so far in St. Louis, posting a 4.57 ERA across 11 starts.
Rob Refsnyder, OF, Seattle Mariners
The Red Sox lost one of their lefty mashers when Refsnyder signed with Seattle in the offseason, but he hasn’t done much mashing so far with the Mariners. The veteran outfielder is hitting just .122/.200/.243 with three homers in 35 games.
