The Boston Red Sox have signed two-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award-winning third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, which includes opt-outs after the first two seasons. Bregman, who spent his entire career with the Houston Astros, is expected to transition to second base for the Red Sox. This move will make an impact on the infield heading into spring training as it will accommodate the star slugger, who remains at third base. Manager Alex Cora, formerly the Astros’ bench coach, has expressed confidence in Bregman’s adaptability to the new position, citing his athleticism and high baseball IQ.
Alex Bregman’s Transition to Second Base: A Game-Changer for the Red Sox Infield
At the Winter Meetings two months ago, Cora discussed the possibility of Bregman moving to second base. Cora reflected on a similar scenario that occurred in 2017 while he was with the Astros:
“We actually had that conversation in ’17 when I was with the Astros. We made some adjustments at third base, kind of like where he was playing because he was feeling uncomfortable. At the end, it paid off for him,” Cora said on December 9. “He’s a Gold Glove defender at third. I always envisioned him playing in the middle of the diamond, and those were conversations in ’17. He can adjust, and he has a baseball IQ to do that. People might think the double play might be an issue. I don’t believe so. I think he can do whatever.”
If Bregman transitions to second base, it will affect the Red Sox’s infield dynamic. This move could significantly impact Kristian Campbell, who was already competing with Vaughn Grissom and David Hamilton for the position. Bregman’s arrival may diminish Campbell’s chances of securing the spot. As a result, Campbell could be shifted to another position or spend more time in Triple-A to develop further, remaining on standby in case of an injury to a regular player.
Devers Moves Off Third: A Strategic Shift for the Red Sox
A main reason for moving Deves off third base is to allow the Red Sox to deploy Bregman at the position. However, this isn’t the only potential benefit. Moving Devers could help alleviate physical strain on his body, which has been a concern. Last season, Devers played through discomfort in both shoulders and his offensive performance suffered significantly in the final two months.
The Red fielded multiple questions this winter regarding the idea of moving Devers off the hot corner. Each time, both chief of baseball officer Craig Breslow and Cora emphasized that any such decision would involve discussions with Devers before being made public.
In his press conference Tuesday, Cora suggested that the topic may have already been approached with Devers, albeit in hypothetical terms:
“We’ve been talking about everything from what are we trying to accomplish roster-wise to what we need to accomplish for him,” said Cora. “And I think right now, the main thing is not positions or additions or whatever. It’s for him to have a healthy camp. He had a good offseason as far as the shoulder and elbow. He’s in a good spot.”
Trade Options
One way to move Devers away from third base is for Breslow to trade Masataka Yoshida or Triston Casas. At 25, Casas isn’t eligible for free agency until 2029, meaning the Red Sox would need to receive a significant return to deal him. However, MLB.com’s Ian Browne suggests the team could package Casas to acquire a front-line starter, such as Dylan Cease, from the San Diego Padres. The Seattle Mariners, who have pitching depth but lack offensive power, could also be a potential trade partner.
On the other hand, trading Yoshida might make more sense. Yoshida hasn’t met expectations in his first two seasons with Boston. Since former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom acquired him, Breslow may be more willing to move on from the left-hander—even if that means absorbing a significant portion of Yoshida’s remaining salary.
Main Photo: © Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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