BOSTON — While fully acknowledging that the Red Sox roster isn’t complete for the 2026 season, manager Alex Cora has already identified who he wants batting cleanup for the team’s batting order.
“I know Willson (Contreras, acquired last month in a trade with St. Louis) will probably hit fourth. I know that one,” said Cora at the Red Sox’ Fenway Fest at Fenway Park.
Contreras is, to date, the team’s biggest position player acquisition of the offseason and is set to be the everyday first baseman.
“Willson’s going to bring a lot,” said Cora. “He hits the ball hard. It’s a good at-bat. He drives the ball to right-center, but last year, he pulled the ball ball a little more than usual, which is awesome for us.”
But on the topic of leadoff hitter, Cora was more circumspect. He used Roman Anthony there soon after Anthony made his debut last season. Earlier in the season, before Anthony was promoted from Worcester, the Sox used Jarren Duran, and did so again as Anthony missed time in September.
Both remain in the mix to hit first.
“I’m not there yet, to be honest,” said Cora. “Usually (by this point) I have a pretty good idea what we’re going to do. But honestly, I have no idea. I think we have to wait and see what the roster is going to look like. A few positions, there are going to be battles. That’s something that that’s going to dictate what we’re going to do.
“For the first time in years, I don’t know how we’re going to do it.”
Cora did acknowledge that he doesn’t see anyone else on the current roster as a leadoff candidate.
For now, he’s focused on trying to construct a lineup that alternates lefty and righty hitters.
“I still believe we’re very left-handed,” he said. “But at the same time, we were very lefthanded last year and we (still) scored runs (finishing fifth in the AL in runs scored). We just to have create balance — by trades, free agency or developing guys. We’ll see where we’re at when we get to Fort Myers.“