This past weekend, the Boston Red Sox officially welcomed Alex Bregman as their newest infield star, following a three-year contract signed last week. A key topic that emerged during Bregman’s introduction is the uncertainty surrounding his future position in the infield. Although it was initially suggested that he would take over second base, manager Alex Cora clarified that the team has yet to finalize its infield configuration ahead of Opening Day next month.

The ambiguity regarding Bregman’s position largely stems from the ambition of established third baseman Rafael Devers, who desires to maintain his role in the field for the foreseeable future. It would be quite uncommon for a player of Devers’ caliber, who is only 28 years old, to transition to designated hitter this early in his career. For context, Miguel Cabrera continued as the Tigers’ starting third baseman at age 30 back in 2013. Furthermore, if Devers were to shift to DH, it would complicate matters for Masataka Yoshida, potentially limiting his role to just bench appearances or requiring frequent outfield play, or even risking his removal from the roster altogether. With his offensive prowess, Yoshida is likely to offer much greater value in the lineup compared to the less compelling second base alternatives like Vaughn Grissom and David Hamilton, both of whom played for the Red Sox last season.

It’s important to note that Bregman is the reigning Gold Glove award recipient for third base, having only logged 32 innings at second base throughout his career. While awards alone don’t tell the full story, advanced metrics highlight a significant distinction between Bregman and Devers: Bregman ranked in the 91st percentile for fielders in Outs Above Average (OAA) last season, whereas Devers fell into the 8th percentile. Bregman has communicated his willingness to play second base if requested, and the Red Sox have expressed confidence in his capabilities at that position. However, one cannot ignore that the optimal defensive configuration for the Red Sox would likely see Bregman at third, Devers as DH, and an adept fielder like Hamilton—who recorded a +3 OAA at second base last year—taking the keystone.

This situation poses a dilemma between prioritizing offense versus defense. Assigning Bregman to second base would streamline Yoshida’s inclusion in the starting lineup, albeit at the cost of less-than-ideal defensive arrangements. Conversely, positioning Hamilton—and his 92 wRC+ from last season—as the starting second baseman while placing Yoshida on the bench could weaken the offense, yet offer a strong defensive lineup with Bregman and Hamilton complementing Trevor Story in the infield. Given that the Red Sox ranked 11th in the majors with a 104 wRC+ last season before adding Bregman and were among the lower tiers for OAA, the team may be better off focusing on run prevention over run production.

Several variables contribute to this ongoing conversation. The impact of the Red Sox’s decision on their relationship with Devers is significant, especially as he has consistently expressed his wish to remain at third base. It’s also worth noting that Yoshida is anticipated to be more available for outfield play this season following shoulder surgery in October. Once he’s sufficiently healed, the team could deploy Jarren Duran in center field and Yoshida in left, before potentially subbing out Yoshida in close games for a more robust defensive structure with utility player Ceddanne Rafaela taking the center position.

The most unpredictable element in this scenario might be Kristian Campbell. MLB.com’s #7 prospect had a clear opportunity for significant playing time until Bregman’s signing, but reports post-Bregman acquisition suggest the Red Sox are still keen on providing Campbell the chance to win a spot on the active roster. Campbell has primarily played second base in the minors, and his inclusion in the team could influence a decision to move Devers to DH.

Furthermore, Campbell’s versatility includes experience in the outfield, presenting the possibility of placing him in left field while keeping Duran in center and either confining Rafaela to the bench or sending him to Triple-A, should the team opt for Bregman at second base and Devers at third. However, this arrangement would be temporary, especially with top prospect Roman Anthony likely to make his major league debut sometime early in the season. Anthony is expected to excel in the outfield, which could lead to Campbell transitioning back to the infield unless the team decides to bench Wilyer Abreu in right field.

With so many intricate elements affecting the Red Sox this spring, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Should the team focus on bolstering its defense by moving Devers to DH, thereby allowing Bregman to take over at third and integrating their prospects more seamlessly into the lineup? Or would it be wiser to position Bregman at second base, potentially avoiding discord with Devers, while ensuring that Yoshida remains a regular contributor to the lineup? We invite you to share your opinion in the poll below: