MLB Rumors: 3 Red Sox Who Won't Be Back in 2026

The Boston Red Sox came crashing to earth after taking a 1-0 lead in their Wild Card series with the New York Yankees. A once-promising season has bitten the dust, and the BoSox need to reload for 2026. 

Boston finished with 89 wins and the second Wild Card playoff berth this season, five games back of the Yanks and Toronto Blue Jays for top spot in the AL East Division. 

As their offseason begins, a number of free agents will be looking for new deals, while the Sox look to shuffle up their roster with youngsters and potential big names. 

In addition, Boston will have to save up its pennies for the huge new deal that team leader Alex Bregman will be looking for when he opts out of his contract and re-enters free agency. That means that several pending free agents will not be offered new deals.

Let's have a look at three Red Sox who won't be back in 2026.

Dustin May

The former LA Dodgers starter came over to the Red Sox at the trade deadline, after they failed to land one of their more prominent targets for the rotation, including Joe Ryan, Merrill Kelly, Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Mitch Keller and Dylan Cease. 

May was a consolation prize, and that's pretty much what he pitched like. The 28-year-old went 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP and surrendered a woeful .307 batting average against. 

He'll hit free agnecy for the first time, but he shouldn't expect the Red Sox to pony up for a new contract. 

Steven Matz

The lefty righted the ship, pitching out of the bullpen in 2025, and he posted a 2.08 ERA in 21.2 innings for the Red Sox after coming over at the trade deadline. But as a free agent heading into his age-35 season, Boston won't be going all-out to retain him, as they have a bunch of young, cost-effective arms that would be better served in Matz's spot. 

Jarren Duran

Now things get interesting. We heard Duran's name on the rumor mill all season long, as a legit star that the Red Sox could turn into an attractive return package. He didn't put up nearly the same type of All-Star season that he did in 2024, but he still holds a lot of value around the majors. Besides, the Red Sox have an overloaded outfield, with young promising stars Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu needing to get full-time action. 

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