Despite being in the same division as the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox are preparing to prove they will be a force in the American League East in 2026.
When it comes to attracting and retaining players, either through free agency or trade, Red Sox ownership could spend at the same rate as the richest clubs in baseball. In 2025, the Yankees, at $293 million-plus, had the third-highest team payroll. Toronto came within one game of claiming the World Series championship last October and was third in roster pay at $239 million-plus.
