Alex Cora’s Account of Superstar’s Departure Will Torment Red Sox Fans

For Boston Red Sox fans, the 2025 offseason will forever be marked by the heart-wrenching loss of Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. Despite the team’s best efforts to keep their superstar, Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs, leaving a massive void at third base. For many fans, it was the biggest gut punch of the offseason, one that stung deeply as they had hoped for Bregman to return and lead the team into the future.

While the initial shock has subsided, Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided an emotional account of how the team and himself received the news of Bregman’s departure — and it’s not something that will sit well with many fans.

How Cora and the Red Sox Learned of Bregman’s Departure

Bregman’s decision to leave for the Cubs broke on February 10, 2026, coinciding with the Red Sox’s annual “Fenway Fest”, a gathering for team members, fans, and media. Cora’s revelation about the timing and emotional impact of the news will likely leave a bitter taste for many fans who were hoping for a different outcome.

In his appearance on the “Foul Territory” podcast, Cora shared the painful details of how the team learned about Bregman’s decision. “That Saturday in Boston, it was a tough one,” Cora said, reflecting on the shock of the moment. “I thought he was going to come back. At one point, between Friday and Saturday, I was like, ‘Okay, this is gonna happen.'”

But just hours after that hopeful feeling, the news hit like a ton of bricks. Cora recounted how the team had been participating in a bowling event as part of Fenway Fest when everything changed. “And then we were at a bowling event as a team, because it was fan fest, and then all of a sudden, everything came out, and bro, like, everybody left the building,” Cora added, his rueful smile betraying the deep disappointment the team felt.

The Drama Behind Bregman’s Departure

While the specifics of the negotiations between Bregman and the Red Sox have been widely debated, the fact that the Red Sox had hoped and believed Bregman would return to Boston adds another layer of frustration for fans. The three-time All-Star had been a perfect fit for the team, and Cora’s genuine belief that Bregman would re-sign with the Red Sox only intensifies the sense of missed opportunity.

For those fans already upset with the outcome, knowing that Cora thought Bregman was coming back will likely serve as fuel for their anger. The team’s inability to keep a player of Bregman’s caliber, especially after investing so much in the negotiations, has left many Red Sox supporters feeling betrayed and disillusioned.

Moving On with Ranger Suárez and Caleb Durbin

Following Bregman’s decision to join the Cubs, the Red Sox quickly pivoted to fill the void in their lineup. They signed free-agent pitcher Ranger Suárez to a $130 million deal just a few days later, but the loss of Bregman remained a painful reminder of what could have been. The Red Sox also traded for former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin, hoping he could step into the starting role at third base and fill the large shoes left by Bregman.

But no matter what happens with Durbin, the departure of Bregman still stings. It’s not just about the player on the field; it’s about the missed opportunity for the Red Sox to keep a player who could have helped bring the team back to championship contention.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Red Sox?

With Bregman now officially part of the Cubs, the Red Sox are forced to move forward. They will likely continue making moves to solidify their roster and improve their chances in 2026, but the emotional toll of losing a star player like Bregman will linger. Fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the team’s performance as the season progresses, hoping that the new additions, including Suárez and Durbin, can help fill the gaps left by their former superstar.

In the meantime, Cora’s comments about the Bregman departure will likely fuel debates among Red Sox fans. The thought that the team came so close to retaining Bregman, only for it to fall apart at the final hurdle, will undoubtedly remain a sore subject for many. As the Red Sox move forward, the echoes of this offseason’s drama will serve as a reminder of the one that got away.