Days after signing premium free-agent Alex Bregman to a nine-figure pact stuffed with opt-outs, the Boston Red Sox are still determining how they’ll deploy the two-time All-Star.
The Dilemma
Bregman, who turns 31 in late March, has spent his entire major-league career as a primary third baseman, but that’s the position manned by Boston’s franchise talent Rafael Devers. Normally, you defer to a player like Devers, who’s under contract with the Red Sox through the 2033 season. However, Devers is a pronounced defensive liability at third base, whereas Bregman remains a standout fielder there.
Whether Devers will remain at the hot corner for 2025 and perhaps beyond has been a theme of the Red Sox’s offseason. Through his agent, Devers has expressed a preference to remain at the position. That would mean Bregman would be at second base instead of third if Devers’ apparent wishes carry the day.
If, however, the Sox want to field the best team possible in the competitive American League East, then they’ll move Devers to DH, where he’s likely going to spend the back half of his career, and keep Bregman at his established position.
Executive Insights
Here’s what Breslow told reporters on Sunday about where Bregman will play and, by extension, where Devers will be:
“The most important thing was getting Alex into a Red Sox uniform as an elite defender.
The conversations about where he’ll play are ongoing, and when the time is right, we’ll make that determination.”
In other words, the situation is still fluid.
For Bregman’s part, he’s open to whatever is deemed best:
“I just want to play wherever helps the team win. I’ll leave that decision to AC. I’ll just do whatever he tells me to do and try to do it every single day and work hard and be ready to win.”
Strategic Decisions Ahead
Boston’s infield situation is muddled, yes, but what they need to do in order to better their chances in the coming season is actually pretty clear. All of that leads us to a pair of spring questions that may inform the Sox’s efforts to end their three-year playoff drought in 2025:
- Will Campbell do enough in camp to earn a role?
- Is Sox leadership willing to have an uncomfortable conversation with Devers about what’s best for his long-term career and best for the team?
