As 2026 spring training officially kicks off, the Boston Red Sox front office has chosen a curious tone when discussing two of the biggest player departures in recent memory: Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers.
Rather than expressing deep regret or at least ownership of the circumstances that led to the loss of both stars, Red Sox leadership has reiterated a message of acceptance, even bordering on indifference, that has drawn scrutiny from fans and journalists alike.
On Sunday morning, Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy addressed Bregman's offseason exit to the Chicago Cubs with measured, or some would say guarded, comments. After Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, Kennedy suggested the departure was simply the result of player choice.
"If Alex Bregman wanted to be here, ultimately he'd be here," Kennedy said while addressing the media, framing the free agent's decision as a personal preference rather than an organizational shortfall.
Red Sox Management's Approach to Losing Stars Hurts More Than Helps
Not spending $10 million extra on a player with no no-trade clause is what got them into the situation they're in now, and that's why he left.
He added that Boston is "grateful to Alex Bregman and what he meant to us," but emphasized that Bregman "chose a different path."
Though Kennedy attempted to express goodwill, the underlying tone that the Red Sox did their part and Bregman left by choice struck many fans as a dismissal of the team's missteps in negotiations and roster planning.
Critics pointed out that Boston's refusal to fully grant Bregman a no-trade clause, a factor in his free agent decision, was glossed over in the CEO's remarks.
Similarly, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner weighed in on Bregman's 2025 counterpart, Rafael Devers' departure, with a comment that made many turn their heads and raise their eyebrows. He stated that he "doesn't speak ill of any player", but then took a serious dig at their former franchise third baseman.
Warner described Devers' refusal to move to first base as "extremely discouraging" in the context of the club's needs after Triston Casas' injury, instead of reflecting on how the situation was handled internally. In addition, he added, "Just pick up a glove."
Sounds familiar to another owner from another dysfunctional franchise.
"Where ya gonna go?" - Cincinnati Reds' owner Phil Castellini responding to fans' requests to his family to sell the team.
Incredibly tone deaf, right?
Taken together, the comments from Kennedy and Warner reflect an organization posture that is unapologetic and forward-focused. Rather than lingering on what was lost, the Red Sox emphasize their plans and the belief that the current roster, bolstered by Willson Contreras and Ranger Suarez, puts them on a sustainable competitive path.
While that's a fair process to lean on, the comments aren't. It's not fair to the fan base or the players.
Fans, still raw from seeing two high-profile stars depart within a year of each other, have not universally embraced that view.
In a sport where perception and communication matter, the Red Sox haven't done much of that in the past few seasons. Boston's choice to frame these departures as business decisions rather than organizational lessons has been just as consequential as the roster moves themselves.