After a crushing Wild Card round defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox turn their attention to the offseason. The postseason revealed many needs for the club to address on the free agent market, but it also must hope to retain two critical 2025 players.

Alex Bregman and Trevor Story both have opt outs in their contracts with the Red Sox. After great seasons in Boston, either or both infielders could decide to take their talents to the free agent market in hopes of signing a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Both players vaguely responded to questions about their futures in the organization after the Sox’s loss on October 2.

“Not even thinking about that at all right now,” Bregman said. “Just thinking about the game that just happened.”

Story’s sentiment was slightly different: “It’s not top of mind. I’m not going to speak on that right now. But I came here to be here for a long time.”

Bregman’s free agency prospects are much different than Story’s, and not just positionally. The third baseman posted a rebound offensive season and asserted himself as a clear clubhouse leader. He slashed .273/.360/.462 with an .822 OPS over 114 games.

If Bregman doesn’t opt out of his contract, he’s signed by the Red Sox for two more years with another opt out in between. He could opt out and re-sign with Boston on a long-term, high-AAV deal to eventually retire as a Red Sox. After trading Rafael Devers in the middle of the season, Boston must ensure that happens — this year’s class of free agent third basemen is not impressive besides Bregman.

Alex Bregman and Trevor Story give vague answers to Red Sox contract opt out questions

Story can opt out of his contract, or remain with the Red Sox for two more years at $55 million. This year’s free agent class of shortstops is also rather lackluster, with Bo Bichette and Story being the top names in the mix. Story mentioned after Wild Card Game 3 that he intends to be a Red Sox for a long time, though.

MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN noted that it could be hard for Story to find a contract of equal value elsewhere given his age — he’ll be entering his age-33 season in 2026. He concluded that Story probably won’t opt out of his deal in Boston, but nothing is ever certain.

If Story does opt out, the Red Sox have top shortstop prospects Marcelo Mayer and Mikey Romero to fall back on at his position. However, if Bregman also departs, Mayer will be the Sox’s likely third baseman, unless they sign or trade for another one.

It’s in the Red Sox’s best interest to keep Bregman and Story around for the rest of their contracts. The two are among the few veterans on the team as it stands, and their presences will be critical as Mayer and Roman Anthony spend their first full seasons in the big leagues and more top prospects arrive.