Red Sox Face Dilemma: Where to Play All-Star Infielder Alex Bregman?
The Boston Red Sox, fresh from signing three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, find themselves in a predicament: where to play him.
The conundrum arises from the presence of their own three-time All-Star at the hot corner, Rafael Devers. The Dominican slugger has made it unequivocally clear that he has no desire to vacate his position to accommodate Bregman.
"Third base is my position," Devers declared through an interpreter. "It’s what I play. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear on what my desires were. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know."
Devers’ defensive prowess has come under scrutiny, with advanced metrics painting him as one of the worst-fielding third basemen in the majors. Among the 17 players with at least 750 innings at the hot corner in 2024, Devers ranked 16th in Statcast’s Fielding Run Value. Bregman, by contrast, was sixth overall and second in the American League. Defensive Runs Saved also paints a dim picture, with Devers at minus-9 compared to Bregman’s plus-six.
Manager Alex Cora has acknowledged the team’s deliberation on the matter.
"Whatever decision we make is going to be for the benefit of the team," he said.
With Devers entering the third year of his own $313.5 million contract extension, the most logical arrangement would be to keep him at third and move Bregman to second. However, the Red Sox boast one of the game’s top prospects in Kristian Campbell, who is widely regarded as their future second baseman.
The logjam of talent presents a fortunate problem for the Red Sox, but it also highlights the need for a swift resolution.
The team has a mere three weeks before Opening Day to decide whether to challenge Devers’ stance, juggle positions, or seek a trade to optimize their roster.
One potential solution is a move to designated hitter for either Devers or Bregman. This would allow both players to contribute offensively while mitigating Devers’ defensive liabilities. However, it would also deprive the Red Sox of a valuable fielder, as JD Martinez, their current DH, is entering the final year of his contract.
Another option is to trade one of the two. Moving Bregman would partially alleviate the defensive concerns, but it would also require the Red Sox to part with a player who has shown both offensive and defensive prowess. Dealing Devers would solve the defensive riddle, but it would also mean sacrificing a home-grown talent with a proven track record of success.
Ultimately, the Red Sox must balance the desire to appease Devers with the need to field a competitive team.
If Devers remains immovable, the team will have to consider whether Bregman’s bat and Gold Glove defense outweigh the potential drawbacks of a suboptimal defensive alignment. If they prioritize defense, they may have to explore trades or find a way to seamlessly transition Devers to a different position.
With Opening Day rapidly approaching, the Red Sox have little time to waste in finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved. The fate of their season may hinge on their ability to navigate this delicate situation and maximize the talents of their star-studded infield.
