Overview
- Speaking on Foul Territory on March 13, Cora named Crochet and Story as the players set to fill the leadership void.
- Bregman, a vocal presence for Boston in 2025, departed in free agency to the Cubs, leaving both production and leadership to replace.
- Story rebounded from earlier injuries to log 157 games last season with a .263 average, 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 91 runs.
- Cora praised Crochet as a tone‑setting ace after an AL‑high 205 1/3 innings and 7 2/3 dominant postseason frames against the Yankees, likening him to past workhorse greats.
- To cover on‑field losses, Boston brought in third baseman Caleb Durbin and catcher Willson Contreras and anticipates a boost from Roman Anthony’s return.