The Chicago Cubs could work to steal infielder Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox in free agency this winter.

Of course, the Red Sox weren’t going to sign Pete Alonso. Obviously, they weren’t going to bring back Kyle Schwarber. The Red Sox don’t operate that way anymore and haven’t for a while. Anyone surprised or disappointed when the Red Sox didn’t come home from the Winter Meetings with a stud free agent simply hasn’t been paying attention.

When news broke on Wednesday that the Orioles had landed slugging first baseman Pete Alonso on a five-year, $155 million deal, the Red Sox missed out on a second major free-agent power hitter in as many days -- Kyle Schwarber agreed to a five-year,

The Boston Red Sox need to add a slugger to their roster after missing out on Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso in free agency.

Last December, the Red Sox traded Teel to Chicago, along with Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez, in return for star ace Garrett Crochet. At the time of the trade, Teel was Boston's No. 4 prospect.

For his part, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that he does not feel inhibited by the payroll this offseason.

The outfielder, grandson of Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, agreed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The contract also includes a club option worth $7 million for the 2028 season.

Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow breaks down the team's mindset heading into 2026, the importance of Alex Cora and the impact of the Green Monster on players