Can Willson Contreras replace Alex Bregman’s production?

The Boston Red Sox infield will look much different in 2026.

Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman was a one-and-done in Boston as he left for the Ch i cago Cubs in free agency. He’ll likely be replaced at the hot corner by either Marcelo Mayer or newcomer Caleb Durbin.

First baseman Willson Contreras and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa have also entered the equation. The Red Sox traded for Contreras to address their need for a right-handed bat, and later signed Kiner-Falefa as a versatile infield depth option.

Boston will need its infield defense to improve next season, because the revamped starting rotation includes multiple pitchers who depend on getting ground-ball outs. Contreras and Kiner-Falefa should help in that department.

Here’s a closer look at the Red Sox’ infield situation for 2026:

Willson Contreras, 1B

2025 stats: .257/.344/.447, 20 HR, 80 RBI, 142 SO, 44 BB (135 games)

Offseason acquisition Willson Contreras will be counted on to replace Alex Bregman’s offensive production.

The Red Sox entered the offseason needing a right-handed bat, and they got one by acquiring Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The issue is that they also lost their biggest right-handed bat in Alex Bregman.

As a result, Contreras will be counted on to replace Bregman’s offensive production. It’s a tall task, but one that the 33-year-old is capable of completing.

Contreras had two more homers and 18 more RBI than Bregman last season, albeit in 21 more games. His OPS (.791) wasn’t much lower than Bregman’s (.821).

The big difference between the two is their strikeout rates. Contreras struck out 25.2 percent of the time last season, while Bregman K’d in only 14.1 percent of his plate appearances. Bregman’s bat-to-ball skills are far superior.

Defensively, Contreras should be a significant upgrade over the options Boston has had in recent seasons. He ranked fourth among all first basemen last season with six Outs Above Average.

Trevor Story, SS

2025 stats: .263/.308/.433, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 176 SO, 33 BB (157 games)

The Red Sox need Trevor Story to stay healthy again in 2026.

In 2025, Story bounced back from another injury-plagued campaign with his best Red Sox season yet. The 33-year-old played in 157 games — tying a career-high — and led the club in hits (161), runs scored (91), homers (25), RBI (96), and stolen bases (31).

He’ll be leaned on heavily again in 2026. By letting Bregman walk in free agency, Boston put pressure on Contreras and Story to deliver as the team’s two biggest right-handed bats. It’ll be a massive blow to the lineup if Story struggles to stay healthy.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the Red Sox move Story to second base at some point in 2026. Story’s defense was well below average last season, and there’s little doubt that former top prospect Marcelo Mayer would be an upgrade at the position.

Marcelo Mayer, 2B/3B

2025 stats: .228/.272/.402, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 41 SO, 8 BB (44 games)

Marcelo Mayer struggled mightily against left-handed pitching during his 2025 rookie season.

Mayer’s much-anticipated rookie season ended prematurely as he underwent wrist surgery in August. It marked the third consecutive year that the former top Red Sox prospect suffered a season-ending injury.

Health and struggles against left-handed pitching are the top two concerns for Mayer heading into the 2026 campaign. The 23-year-old went 4-for-26 (.154) with a .416 OPS and 10 strikeouts against LHP.

Mayer’s issues against southpaws persisted throughout his minor-league career, so it’s no surprise that they continued in the majors. But as a former No. 4 overall pick who is believed to have an All-Star ceiling, he’ll be expected to take a noticeable step forward next season.

Where Mayer excelled as a rookie was defensively at second and third base. His above-average glove will be a huge plus for a Red Sox club that needs more consistency out of its infield defense, especially with a pitching staff that will induce a ton of ground balls.

Caleb Durbin, 2B/3B

2025 stats: .256/.334/.387, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 50 SO, 30 BB (136 games)

Caleb Durbin finished third in the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year race.

In need of another starting infielder after losing Bregman, the Red Sox acquired Durbin in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. The soon-to-be 26-year-old spent most of his time at third base for Milwaukee last season, but he could play second for Boston with Mayer at the hot corner.

Durbin finished third in the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year voting after amassing a 2.8 WAR in 136 games. He was a league-average hitter, though he provided value with his advanced bat-to-ball skills. He boasted an elite strikeout rate of 9.9 percent, but he ranked near the bottom of the league in hard-hit percentage (26.9) and average exit velocity (85.2).

Boston’s lineup features several players who strike out a ton, so Durbin’s plate discipline will be a breath of fresh air. His defensive versatility will also be useful this upcoming season.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, UTIL

2025 stats: .262/.297/.334, 2 HR, 40 RBI, 77 SO, 17 BB (138 games)

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has played every position except first base in his eight-year MLB career.

The Red Sox signed Kiner-Falefa to a one-year, $6 million deal in free agency. The 30-year-old is a glove-first utility player who has played every position except first base in his eight-year MLB career.

With Boston, Kiner-Falefa will be leaned on as a versatile defender off the bench. He won’t be expected to do anything special at the plate as he has always been a below-average hitter.

Kiner-Falefa has earned a reputation as a clubhouse leader. Perhaps he’ll help fill the leadership void left by the departures of veterans Bregman and Rob Refsnyder.

Romy Gonzalez, UTIL

2025 stats: .305/.343/.483, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 81 SO, 18 BB (96 games)

Romy Gonzalez could begin the 2026 season on the injured list.

Gonzalez has played a key role for the Red Sox as a utility infielder who mashes left-handed pitching. He’s expected to reprise that role in 2026, though he may not be ready for Opening Day due to a shoulder injury he suffered at the end of the 2025 season. Manager Alex Cora recently announced that Gonzalez is currently shut down from all baseball activities except for playing catch.

If and when Gonzalez returns to the lineup, Cora will continue to lean on him against lefties. We could see a Mayer/Gonzalez platoon at second base if Mayer’s woes against LHP persist.

Nick Sogard, UTIL

2025 stats: .260/.317/.344, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 24 SO, 5 BB (30 games)

Nick Sogard has proven to be a solid utility man for Boston over the last two seasons.

Sogard has been a solid utility player for the Red Sox over the last two years, and he could have a bigger role in 2026 if Gonzalez misses time. He doesn’t offer much upside at the plate, but he is capable of playing every infield spot and also made a few appearances in right field last year.

Triston Casas, 1B

2025 stats: .182/.277/.303, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 27 SO, 11 BB (29 games)

Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in May 2025.

It won’t be an easy road back to Boston for Casas, whose 2025 season ended in May after he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon. Even if he’s fully healthy, he’ll likely be eased back into action with a minor-league stint before the Red Sox consider calling him back up to the big-league roster.

The question is, where does Casas fit on this year’s Red Sox club? Contreras is expected to be the everyday first baseman, and the team already has multiple DHs. Casas doesn’t currently have a clear path to consistent playing time, but Boston will have to find some way to fit him into the puzzle if he shows the power that once helped make him the top prospect in the organization.

Catchers – Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong

Carlos Narvaez was a pleasant surprise in his first season with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox will roll with the same catching tandem in 2026: Narvaez as the primary backstop and Wong as the No. 2.

Narvaez far exceeded expectations last year in his first season with Boston. The 27-year-old was among MLB’s best defensive catchers, ranking near the top of the league in caught stealing above average, blocks above average, pop time, and framing. He was also a pleasant surprise at the plate, belting 15 homers and amassing a solid .726 OPS in 118 games.

Wong quickly lost his starting job to Narvaez in what was an abysmal season for the 29-year-old. It took him until June 23 to earn his first RBI of the year, and he also had his worst season yet as a defensive backstop. He’ll look to bounce back and take pressure off Narvaez, who was clearly affected by his heavy workload down the stretch in 2025.

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