Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2021, the Boston Red Sox are gearing up for a critical offseason as they look to improve their team for 2026.<\/p>\n
Two of their top free agent targets<\/a> will likely be former Red Sox sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman, both of whom were All-Stars this season.<\/p>\n Schwarber briefly played for Boston in the second half of 2021 before signing a four-year, $79 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. His contract is up, making him a free agent again<\/a> at age 32 after leading the National League in home runs and RBI this year.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Bregman is reportedly planning to opt out<\/a> of the remaining two years and $80 million on his contract after spending 2025 with the Red Sox. Like Schwarber, he\u2019s expected to receive a bigger contract this winter.<\/p>\n MLB insider Jon Heyman believes both sluggers will reunite with their current teams<\/a>.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n .@JonHeyman<\/a>\u2019s top 5 teams for Kyle Schwarber:<\/p>\n 1. Phillies \u201cTo me, (Philly) is the logical destination. Even more likely than Bregman back to Boston, which I think is pretty likely.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/6qcFerlldN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) October 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTo me, (Philadelphia) is the logical destination (for Kyle Schwarber). Even more likely than Bregman back to Boston, which I think is pretty likely,\u201d Heyman said earlier this week.<\/p>\n Schwarber is coming off a career year with the Phillies, who probably don\u2019t want to repeat the Red Sox\u2019s mistake of losing him in free agency. Dave Dombrowski has a history of being aggressive when it comes to re-signing or extending his stars, so it\u2019s hard to envision him letting Schwarber walk and leave a massive hole in the middle of their lineup.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Boston is considered the favorite to sign Bregman, who enjoyed his time there this season and was a great fit in the clubhouse. The Red Sox should also be extra motivated to keep him after trading fellow third baseman Rafael Devers<\/a> last summer.<\/p>\n So while Schwarber and Bregman could both sign elsewhere, it seems more likely that they\u2019ll stick around.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \t
2. Cubs
3. Red Sox
4. Blue Jays
5. Giants<\/p>\n