The Boston Red Sox had an interesting offseason. While they added Johan Oviedo, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Ranger Suarez, they lost Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs.

It was a tough blow, as Bregman, the replacement for Rafael Devers, only lasted one season with the Red Sox. Losing him stings, especially since the Red Sox weren’t willing to put a no-trade clause in his contract, which might’ve been enough to retain him.

With training camp beginning, the new-look roster is finally coming together. And President and CEO Sam Kennedy spoke with the media on Sunday, and there, he revealed a lame message on Bregman’s departure to the Cubs.

Sam Kennedy shares lame message on Alex Bregman leaving Red Sox for Cubs

When pressed about whether the no-trade clause was a reason behind Bregman leaving in free agency, Kennedy clapped back by saying, “If Alex Bregman wanted to be here, ultimately he’d be here.”

This isn’t the messaging Red Sox fans wanted to hear. It’s a lame excuse from Kennedy, as all signs have pointed to the Red Sox losing out on Bregman this offseason for their lack of inclusion of a no-trade clause.

Bregman wanted to settle down somewhere, and the Red Sox weren’t willing to put the no-trade clause in his contract. Instead, the Red Sox, based on team policy, left it out, and in turn, lost Bregman to the Cubs.

While the departure of Bregman stings, the Red Sox have added some players in the wake of that move, namely Suarez to the rotation, and Caleb Durbin in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

More: Red Sox sign $6 million free agent formerly of Yankees, Blue Jays

It’s not Bregman, but the Red Sox have tried making moves to help counter the loss of such a superstar player. Kennedy’s lame messaging wasn’t all he said on the loss of Bregman, as he also expressed gratitude to Bregman and wished him well in Chicago.

“So grateful to Alex Bremgan and what he meant to us. But, in the end, when you have choices, the way that he did,” Kennedy said. “He chose a different path, and we wish him well. We look forward to seeing him at the end of the season at Fenway.”

While the loss of Bregman stings, the Red Sox are still in decent shape to contend in the 2026 season. But the message from Kennedy, putting the onus on Bregman for not signing with the Red Sox, is a lame message to relay after their contract policy was a huge reason for Bregman not returning to Boston.

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