Third baseman Alex Bregman is expected to opt out of the remaining two years on his three-year, $120 million contract.
He’s one of eight Red Sox players eligible for free agency once the World Series ends. In all, $98.47 million in average annual salary that counted toward the 2025 Competitive Balance Tax will come off the books this offseason.
That total includes Walker Buehler’s $21.05 million average annual value and Devers’ CBT hit. Of Devers’ $29 million average annual value, $12.629 million counted toward Boston’s CBT in 2025 with the other $16.371 million counting toward San Francisco’s CBT. The Red Sox aren’t responsible for any more money remaining on the 10-year, $313.5 million contract that Devers signed in January 2023.
Lucas Giolito ($19.25 million), Liam Hendriks ($5 million), Steven Matz ($3.965 million), Justin Wilson ($2.25M), Rob Refsnyder ($1.95 million) and Dustin May ($677,234) will all be free agents.
Trevor Story ($23.333 million) has the ability to opt out of the final two years and $55 million remaining on his six-year, $140 million contract. The Red Sox can void his opt-out if he triggers it by adding an extra one-year, $20 million to the deal for 2028.
If he becomes a free agent, that $98.47 million total would increase to $121.803 million.
While plenty of money is coming off the books, several players on the current 40-man roster are due raises.
Garrett Crochet’s six-year, $170 million contract begins in 2026. His average annual value will increase from $3.8 million in 2025 to $28 million in 2026.
Roman Anthony made the league minimum of $670,000. Because he spent 111 days on the roster, he received a prorated $453,548 salary this season. His eight-year, $130 million extension begins in 2026 and his average annual value will increase to $16.25 million.
Jordan Hicks’ entire $12 million average annual value will count toward the CBT after the Red Sox were responsible for $6.7 million of it last year after acquiring him from the Giants in the Devers trade.
Aroldis Chapman signed an extension in August, increasing his CBT hit from $10.75 million to $13.3 million.
Payroll coming off the books
- Alex Bregman ($31.7 million)
- Rafael Devers ($12.629 million)
- Walker Buehler ($21.05M)
- Lucas Giolito ($19.25 million)
- Liam Hendriks ($5 million)
- Steven Matz ($3.965 million)
- Justin Wilson ($2.25M)
- Rob Refsnyder ($1.95 million)
- Dustin May ($677,234)
Total: -$98.47 million
Payroll potentially coming off the books
- Trevor Story ($23.333 million).
Total: $23.333 million
*** Story has the ability to opt out but he’s likely going to remain.
Players with AAVs increasing
- Jordan Hicks $12 million AAV ($5.3 million increase from $6.7 million counted toward Boston’s CBT in 2025)
- Garrett Crochet $28 million AAV ($24.2 million increase from $3.8 AAV in 2025)
- Roman Anthony $16.25 million ($15.796 million increase from $453,548 in 2025)
- Aroldis Chapman $13.3 million ($2.55 million increase from $10.75 million in 2025)
Total: +$47.846 million
Projected arbitration raises
Jarren Duran projected $4.65 million raise to $8.4 million
Tanner Houck no projected raise (projected $3.95 million salary)
Kutter Crawford no projected raise (projected $2.75 million salary)
Romy Gonzalez projected $1.03 million raise to $1.8 million
Triston Casas projected $926,000 to $1.7 million
Connor Wong projected $810,000 raise to $1.6 million
Brennan Bernardino projected $326,000 raise to $1.1M
Josh Winckowski projected $40,000 raise to $800,000
Total in projected arb raises: +$7.782M
*** This number does not include Nathaniel Lowe’s $13.5 million salary after Boston signed him to the league minimum in August. He is likely to be non-tendered or designated for assignment, making him a free agent.
The Red Sox paid him $122,580, the prorated league minimum in 2025.
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