BOSTON — In the ever-evolving world of baseball, few things stir excitement quite like the anticipation of a new season. This is particularly true for the Boston Red Sox, where manager Alex Cora is already making bold declarations about the lineup, even as the roster remains a work in progress for the 2026 season.
Cora has confidently stated that he envisions Willson Contreras, who recently joined the team through a trade with St. Louis, as the cleanup hitter. "I know Willson will probably hit fourth. I know that one," he remarked during the Red Sox' Fenway Fest held at Fenway Park.
Contreras stands out as the most significant addition to the team's roster this offseason and is expected to take on the role of the everyday first baseman. Cora expressed optimism about Contreras's capabilities, stating, "Willson’s going to bring a lot. He hits the ball hard. It’s a good at-bat. He drives the ball to right-center, but last year, he pulled the ball a little more than usual, which is awesome for us."
However, when it comes to filling the leadoff position, Cora seems less certain. Last season, he employed Roman Anthony as a leadoff hitter shortly after the young player made his debut. In earlier games, prior to Anthony's promotion from Worcester, Jarren Duran filled that role, and he returned to it when Anthony was sidelined in September. Both players are still contenders for the leadoff spot this coming season.
Cora candidly admitted, "I’m not there yet, to be honest. Usually, by this point, I have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to do. But honestly, I have no idea. I think we have to wait and see what the roster is going to look like. A few positions are going to have battles. That’s something that will dictate what we’re going to do. For the first time in years, I don’t know how we’re going to do it."
He also emphasized that, at present, he does not see any other players on the current roster as viable options for the leadoff role. Right now, his focus is on constructing a lineup that balances left-handed and right-handed hitters. "I still believe we’re very left-handed," Cora noted. "But at the same time, we were very left-handed last year, and we still scored runs (finishing fifth in the AL in runs scored). We just need to create balance—by trades, free agency, or developing guys. We’ll see where we’re at when we get to Fort Myers."
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, these early decisions about batting order could shape their performance. What do you think about Cora’s choices? Is Contreras the right fit for cleanup? Who should lead off? Share your thoughts in the comments!
