The Boston Red Sox didn’t bring home a World Series trophy in 2025, but few in the organization would call the season a disappointment. After several frustrating years of inconsistency, Boston showed real progress — posting an eight-win improvement and clinching their first postseason berth since 2021. Though the team ultimately fell to their fiercest rivals, the New York Yankees, in a three-game Wild Card sweep, the campaign was viewed as a step forward for a roster brimming with young talent.
That growth — and the coaching stability behind it — appears to have convinced the Red Sox front office to run it back for 2026. According to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the team will retain the majority of its coaching staff, including hitting coach Pete Fatse, pitching coach Andrew Bailey, first base coach José Flores, third base coach Kyle Hudson, bullpen coach Chris Holt, and bench coach Ramón Vázquez.
Manager Alex Cora, still under contract and deeply entrenched as the face of the dugout, remains firmly in charge. And despite some criticism throughout the season — particularly regarding offensive inconsistency and questionable base-running calls — the front office appears committed to continuity.
Fatse’s offense had stretches of explosive power but also prolonged slumps, leading to speculation he might be replaced. Meanwhile, Hudson drew ire from fans for conservative third-base decisions, most notably when he held Nate Eaton at third in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series — a moment that came to symbolize Boston’s hesitation on the basepaths. Yet, both will return, signaling the organization’s belief that steady leadership and internal development trump sweeping changes.
The one notable omission from Bradford’s report is Jason Varitek, the team’s game planning and run prevention coach. A beloved figure in Boston — and a former captain who led the franchise through its mid-2000s glory years — Varitek’s contract expired at season’s end. His future with the club remains unclear, sparking speculation that a new role or outside opportunity could be on the horizon.
For now, the Red Sox are betting on familiarity and growth over upheaval. With a young core continuing to mature and a coaching staff that’s already weathered the challenges of 2025, Boston’s next step is clear: build on the foundation they’ve laid — and turn steady progress into genuine contention in 2026.
