The Boston Red Sox have officially signed star infielder Alex Bregman to a three-year deal. While Bregman, a former Gold Glove winner at third base during his tenure with the Houston Astros, was initially expected to fill the Red Sox' vacancy at second base, the situation may be more complex than anticipated. This complexity arises from the presence of incumbent star Rafael Devers, who is firmly established at third base and has expressed a strong preference to remain there. Despite initial assumptions, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has conveyed uncertainty regarding the team's infield setup.
In a statement relayed by Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Cora commented on the uncertainty surrounding Bregman's position. "We’ll talk about that later on," Cora said. "Right now, there’s a lot of stuff going on as far as we’re going to be roster-wise. We’ll make the decision when we have to make it… He’s a Gold Glove third baseman. He hasn’t played second base in the big leagues. I do believe he can be a Gold Glove second baseman, too. There’s other stuff that comes into play as far as roster construction and what’s better for the team and what can be the best lineup."
The uncertainty is further fueled by the potential inclusion of top infield prospect Kristian Campbell in the Opening Day roster. Cotillo reports that the Red Sox are considering keeping a path open for Campbell, who has experience at shortstop and the outfield but is seen as a strong fit for second base. Should Campbell make the roster, Bregman could alternate between second and third bases, with Campbell possibly seeing time in left field. This would also allow Jarren Duran to shift to center field, and Devers to move to designated hitter on days when Bregman plays third.
If Campbell proves ready for a big league debut, the Red Sox may opt for a more flexible approach to their lineup. The pairing of Bregman and Campbell could offer a more robust defensive setup compared to Devers and Bregman, given Devers' less impressive defensive stats. Offensively, Campbell might also provide more than other players whose playing time could be affected, such as Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela. Cotillo suggests that both players could see reduced playing time or even lose roster spots if Campbell is included.
Speculatively, the Red Sox could use both Bregman and Campbell in the lineup even with Campbell's inclusion. Against left-handed pitchers, Bregman could play third base with Campbell at second, pushing Devers to DH and Yoshida to the bench. This setup would allow Duran to take left field and Rafaela's strong defense to cover center field. Against right-handers, Devers could return to third base, Bregman to second, Campbell to left field, and Duran to center, with Rafaela on the bench.
The Red Sox face developmental decisions regarding Rafaela. Although a righty, he has shown reverse splits, making him less ideal for starting primarily against left-handed pitchers. However, his defensive prowess opens up options for a dynamic outfield. If the Red Sox aim to develop Rafaela into an everyday player, they may prefer to give him consistent playing time in Triple-A rather than sporadic major league appearances. Additionally, carrying Campbell, Rafaela, and Yoshida on the roster could reduce the team's bench depth, affecting players like Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton, and Vaughn Grissom.
The ultimate decision regarding Campbell hinges on his performance in spring training. If he struggles, the Red Sox may allow him more time for development at Triple-A, using Bregman regularly at second base until Campbell earns a promotion. Nonetheless, even if Campbell does not make the Opening Day roster, he is likely to join the majors later in the year, providing a glimpse into the team's strategic considerations should he force his way onto the roster.
