FORT MYERS, Fla. – The absence that has lingered over the Red Sox world for the last five weeks, was especially prominent on Sunday as the organization it’s first full-squad workout of 2026.

They have an intriguing roster and the starting rotation projects to be at the top of the game this season. What they no longer have is Alex Bregman. And there’s really no way around that, no matter what the Red Sox say.

Bregman, 31, was integral to the club’s success last season, as an All-Star third baseman and righty bat in the lineup, but even more so because of his leadership and mentorship in the clubhouse. Everyone from pitchers, to hitters, to coaches raved about Bregman the ‘baseball rat,’ and how he made his teammates better.

Though Bregman opted out of his three-year, $120 million contract at the end of the season, he still hoped to re-sign with the Red Sox and was willing to make certain concessions to do so, multiple sources said.

Pressed for details on the failed reunion during his 25-minute media session Sunday morning, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy intimated that it was Bregman’s camp that soured the offseason negotiations.

“We’re so grateful to Alex Bregman and what he meant to us,” Kennedy began, “but when you have choices the way he did – you work really hard to be in a position to become a free agent and perform at that level. He chose a different path, and we wish him well.”

The sticking point in the Bregman/Boston negotiations was a no-trade clause. He wanted the security, multiple sources and reports said they refused, citing organizational policy.

Kennedy was asked twice if it’s Red Sox policy not to give out no-trade clauses.

“If Alex Bregman wanted to be here,” he answered the first time, “ultimately, he’d be here.”

When the question was immediately posed again, Kennedy said, “We try not to talk about organizational policies and the finer points of negotiations, because it just doesn’t serve you well if you do that.”

Then asked if Bregman would have received a no-trade clause if he asked for one, Kennedy responded, “It’s theoretical, right? It’s hard to know. There’s many different parts of a contract negotiation, so obviously he’s a Chicago Cub, and wish him well until the end of the year.”

A final attempt was made to gain confirmation that Bregman had asked for the clause. The result was similarly unproductive.

“I don’t want to go back and look at finer points of negotiation,” Kennedy said. “Just want to look forward and think about the group that we have in here now.”