"The Red Sox are "fully expecting" to spend past the first luxury tax threshold this offseason as they believe they need to spend "more aggressively" in order to go deeper in the playoffs, MassLive's Sean McAdam reported. The first luxury tax threshold for the 2026 season is set at $244 million, and Boston currently has $219.59 million committed in payroll against the luxury tax,"
"However, that number also takes into account the arbitration projections (via MLB Trade Rumors) for arbitration-eligible players, such as first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and starting pitcher Tanner Houck. If the Red Sox were to non-tender Lowe, for instance, they would save $13.5 million in their projected payroll. Of course, a possible outfielder Jarren Duran trade could also save money against the luxury tax, depending on what he's traded for."
"Still, the Red Sox seem likely to be over the $200 million in projected payroll commitments before signing any free agents unless they're able to move outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida or pitcher Jordan Hicks. Yoshida was a rumored trade candidate last offseason and is set to make $18 million in 2026 as he has two years remaining on his deal. Hicks, meanwhile, is owed $12 million for each of the next two seasons."
The Red Sox expect to exceed the 2026 first luxury tax threshold and plan to spend more aggressively to improve playoff performance. The first threshold is $244 million; Boston currently has $219.59 million committed against the luxury tax. Re-signing Alex Bregman or adding a major free agent would likely push payroll above the threshold. Payroll projections include arbitration estimates for players such as Nathaniel Lowe and Tanner Houck; non-tendering Lowe would save about $13.5 million. Trading Jarren Duran could save roughly $7.7 million. Masataka Yoshida is owed $18 million in 2026, and Jordan Hicks $12 million annually.
Read at Boston.com
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