The Boston Red Sox head into the 2026- 27 offseason trying to make the necessary changes to get past the Wild Card round. The biggest problem they will face is that they already rank sixth in guaranteed contract price before the start of free agency.
Red Sox fans have watched the payroll numbers not reach the heights they did near the 2018 World Series team. John Henry and Fenway Sports Group tried to create a more "sustainable model for winning," which has infuriated the fan base and led to the longest World Series drought since they broke the curse in 2004.
While payroll has climbed back up under Craig Breslow, they now will face the task of trying to add to the roster, while already pushing up against the second luxury tax threshold (if that is still a thing under the next Collective Bargaining Agreement). Here's where the money comes from, broken down by position (positions and salaries come from Spotrac.com).
Breaking down the Red Sox 2027 payroll position by position before any roster turnover
Catcher - $12.3 million
Adley Rutschman is headed into his final year of arbitration and looks to make a solid salary in 2027. Spotrac projects he will make $8.5 million next year (MLB Trade Rumors projects $9.1 million). Connor Wong is going into his second year of arbitration, with a $1.8 million projection ($2 million by MLBTR). Spotrac lists two other catchers, Mickey Gaspar and Anthony Seigler, both in pre-arbitration with projected salaries of $1 million.
First base - $18.86 million
Willson Contreras carries a $17.25 million AAV on his contract for 2027, making up a chunk of the 1st base money. The rest comes from Tristan Casas and his projected $1.61 million salary ($1.7 million by MLBTR).
Second base - $10.1 million
This is where Kristian Campbell's contract is backfiring heavily. Because Luxury Tax payroll is counted by AAV, his AAV for the duration of his deal is $7.5 million, even with him in the minors. Romy Gonzalez is in his second year of arbitration, with a projected salary of $1.6 million ($1.8 million by MLBTR). Nick Sogard is still in pre-arb, getting a $1 million salary.
Third base - $3 million
Spotrac lists three third basemen for the Red Sox, all in pre-arb. Caleb Durbin, Curtis Mead and Nate Eaton, who will all get $1 million next season.
Shortstop - $26.08
The Red Sox have three shortstops on the 40-man roster as well. Trevor Story's $23.33 million AAV makes up most of that. Anduw Monasterio is in his first season of arbitration, with a $1.75 million projected salary ($1.6 million by MLBTR). Tsung-Che Cheng is in pre-arb, making $1 million.
Outfield - $60.55 million
This group is led by two large guaranteed contracts. Masataka Yoshida has an $18 million AAV in the final year of his deal. Roman Anthony will carry a 16.25 million AAV through the eight guaranteed years of his deal, of which he is in year two. While that is a larger figure than his $4.625 million 2027 salary, years five through eight will give the Sox a savings on their bill. Ceddanne Rafaela also has a guaranteed contract, though his AAV is only $6.25 million.
The Sox four other outfielders are in arbitration. The largest projected salary is Jarren Duran at $10.5 million ($11.1 million by MLBTR) in year three of his four arbitration years. Wilyer Abreu projects to have a $5.8 million salary ($4.6 million by MLBTR) in his first of three years. Eli White is in his second of three arbitration years with a $2.75 million projection ($1.4 million by MLBTR). Jahmai Jones is going into his first of four arbitration years with a $1 million projection ($900 thousand by MLBTR).
Starting Pitchers - $63.23 million
With two starters with large guaranteed deals, this number starts high. Garrett Crochet has an AAV of $28.33 million and Ranger Suarez has a $26 million AAV. Tanner Houck is going into his final year of arbitration with a $4.15 million projected salary ($4.1 million by MLBTR), and Kutter Crawford is in third of four years, projected at $2.75 million ($2.8 million by MLBTR). Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett are both in pre-arb, getting the $1 million salaries. Not factored in is Sonny Gray's $30 million mutual option because it his highly unlikely to be picked up.
Relief Pitchers - $45.37 million
The Red Sox bullpen is quite an expensive group. The salaries are led by Aroldis Chapman and his $13.3 million AAV after his contract option vested. Brayan Bello's long-term deal carries a ~$9.17 million AAV. Boston has five relievers in arbitration. Garrett Whitlock's team option at $8.25 will need to be picked up and there is no reason it shouldn't be.
Boston has six relievers in arbitration. Johan Oviedo is going into his final year, projected at $1.55 million ($1.8 million by MLBTR). The rest are all going into their first seasons of arbitration. Greg Weissert is projected at $1.75 million ($1.2 million by MLBTR). Erik Miller projects at $1.35 million ($1.5 million by MLBTR). Tyron Guerrero got Super Two status, earning him four years of arbitration. He has a projected salary of $1 million ($1.1 million by MLBTR). Justin Slaten has a projected salary of $1 million ($1.2 million by MLBTR). Zack Kelly has a projected salary of $1 million ($0.8 million by MLBTR).
There are seven other relievers on the 40-man roster who are in pre-arb and will all earn $1 million: Raymond Burgos, Eduardo Rivera, Tyler Samaniego, Wyatt Olds, Jedixon Paez, Alec Gamboa and Jovani Moran.
The total of these salaries comes to $239.49 million. After adding in player benefits, minor league salaries and more, Spotrac has the Red Sox luxury tax at $299.08 million before the offseason even starts.
Some players will be non-tendered and leave. Trades can quickly take one salary away. Also, players who spend time in the minors do not receive their MLB salary, so their Luxury Tax hit won't be as large at the end of the season. Still, the Sox have over $170 million in guaranteed contracts. This offseason is going to take a lot of maneuvering if they don't want to raise prices.
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