Boston Red Sox Season Ends: 4 Players Unlikely to Return Next Year As the Boston Red Sox conclude their 2026 season, several key players face uncertain futures. Jarren Duran's stellar performance makes him a trade candidate, while Sonny Gray's retirement plans and contract status suggest he won't return. Patrick Sandoval and Connor Wong, though solid contributors, may find themselves replaced or shopped for upgrades as the team looks to reshape its roster for the 2027 campaign. Now, the Red Sox's season is over and Boston fans will have to wait until March - at the earliest - to see this club in action again. Red Sox Stars Facing DepartureWith that being said, it's not going to be the exact same team when the 2027 season rolls around. Here are four players who are the most likely to not be back next season. Aug 25, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran (16) tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam in the 11th inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect.Boston entered the 2026 season with an outfield logjam. Injuries changed things throughout the season. With Roman Anthony missing most of the season, Duran had a consistent opportunity and put together the most difficult offensive season of his career. Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect. In fact, in a perfect world, Gray would be back in 2027. But he has a $30 million mutual option that surely won't be picked up. Also, Gray has expressed interest in retiring at the end of the season.He said he's going to take some time to think about his future beyond the 2026 campaign. If he does continue his career, it would be awesome if it were in Boston. But right now, the odds aren't great. Sep 27, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Patrick Sandoval (43) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field.Sandoval And Wong Contract UncertaintyMandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Sandoval signed a two-year deal with Boston and will be a free agent after the season. He didn't pitch much in a Boston uniform, but he was a depth arm down the stretch this season. The Red Sox have a lot of hurlers. There may not be room for Sandoval.Aug 25, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (12) celebrates scoring a run in the 10th inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It wouldn't hurt to keep Wong around as the backup moving forward. Adley Rutschman is the starter and main guy moving forward. Wong is solid in a depth role.But the catcher position was talked about as a spot Boston wanted to upgrade for a while before Rutschman came to town. Last spring, it was thought that Wong would make the roster. A Rutschman-Wong tandem is good. But it also wouldn't be shocking to see Boston shop for another backup.