Days after signing premium free-agent Alex Bregman to a nine-figure pact full of opt-outs, the Boston Crimson Sox are nonetheless figuring out how they’re going to deploy the two-time All-Star. 

The dilemma: Bregman, who turns 31 in late March, has spent his complete major-league profession as a main third baseman, however that is the place manned by Boston’s franchise expertise Rafael Devers. Usually, you defer to a participant like Devers, who’s underneath contract with the Crimson Sox by means of the 2033 season. Nonetheless, Devers is a pronounced defensive legal responsibility at third base, whereas Bregman stays a standout fielder there. Whether or not Devers will stay on the sizzling nook for 2025 and maybe past has been a theme of the Crimson Sox’s offseason, and thru his agent Devers has expressed a desire to stay on the place. That will imply Bregman could be at second base as a substitute of third if Devers’ obvious needs carry the day. If, nevertheless, the Sox need to subject the very best workforce potential within the aggressive American League East, then they’re going to transfer Devers to DH, the place he is seemingly going to spend the again half of his profession, and hold Bregman at his established place.

That brings us to Crimson Sox spring coaching, Bregman’s arrival at it, and lead government Craig Breslow’s feedback concerning the infield scenario. This is what Breslow instructed reporters on Sunday about the place Bregman will play and, by extension, the place Devers shall be: 

“A very powerful factor was getting Alex right into a Crimson Sox uniform as an elite defender.

“The conversations about the place he’ll play are ongoing, and when the time is true, we’ll make that willpower.”

In different phrases, the scenario continues to be fluid. For Bregman’s half, he is open to no matter is deemed finest: 

It is fairly clear what ought to occur, at the very least in a really perfect situation. Bregman has spent precisely 32 of his greater than 9,500 profession defensive innings at second base. Going again additional, he was a shortstop in faculty at LSU after which by no means appeared at second base within the minors. Second, it ought to be famous, is a really totally different place than third, given the vary necessities and pivot duties. It is to not be assumed that simply because Bregman is an excellent third baseman he’ll be capable of be an asset at second base after by no means enjoying the place at a excessive stage and now that he is in his thirties. Probably, shifting Bregman to second means defensive liabilities at two infield positions in entrance of a rotation that figures to be some of the ground-ball-inclined in all of MLB. 

The wisest path for supervisor Alex Cora is to put in Bregman at third, let Devers prepare dinner with the bat at DH, and put premium prospect Kristian Campbell at second base. Talking of Campbell, our R.J. Anderson lately ranked him because the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball. This is a part of his write-up:

Campbell has drastically boosted his inventory since being drafted within the fourth spherical throughout summer season 2023. He educated his bat velocity over the winter, empowering him to launch 20 dwelling runs final 12 months after smoking solely 4 throughout his single season at Georgia Tech. Campbell’s added muscle offers him a well-rounded sport: he has really feel for contact and the zone alike; he is an above-average runner; and the Crimson Sox proceed to play him at shortstop, albeit whereas giving him seems to be elsewhere on the diamond, too. Campbell already has the looks of being a draft-day steal. Anticipate him to proceed to reinforce that notion in 2025, seemingly whereas spending numerous time within the majors.

Campbell, a 22-year-old Georgia Tech product, thrived at three ranges final season, together with throughout a mixed 75 video games at Double- and Triple-A. He could also be a future shortstop, however he is spent a plurality of his defensive innings within the minors at second base. Offered Campbell passes muster within the Grapefruit League, he has an actual shot at being added to the 40-player roster and heading north with the big-league workforce. Talking of which, here is this latest report from MassLive: 

“The presumption all through the week is that Bregman, a 3rd baseman all through his profession in Houston, would transfer to second base with Rafael Devers entrenched on the sizzling nook. That, nevertheless, isn’t any certain factor. In accordance with a supply, the uncertainty is actual — and primarily a byproduct of the workforce’s enthusiasm for high prospect Kristian Campbell and an organizational willingness, at this early stage of camp, to offer him a pathway to creating the Opening Day roster.”

Presumably, this might imply Campbell could be in line for at the very least semi-regular responsibility at second base, whereas Bregman would stay at third. Devers would make the leap to DH, which might imply a lesser position – or maybe no position in any respect – for incumbent DH Masataka Yoshida. These are notable ripples, however they’re in all probability obligatory for the Crimson Sox to place the absolute best workforce on the sector. 

All of that leads us to a pair of spring questions which will inform the Sox’s efforts to finish their three-year playoff drought in 2025: 

• Will Campbell do sufficient in camp to earn a task?
• Is Sox management keen to have an uncomfortable dialog with Devers about what’s finest for his long-term profession and finest for the workforce?

Boston’s infield scenario is muddled, sure, however what they should do with a purpose to higher their possibilities within the coming season is definitely fairly clear.