There are not many questions about where players will play for the Boston Red Sox next season, but where Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer line up will be something to watch.
Durbin was the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting third baseman for most of the season last, but the Red Sox have not committed to making him their third baseman. Part of why is Marcelo Mayer’s glove in the hot corner.
Mayer had a plus-two outs above average at third base last season. He played less than Durbin, but was a better defender. Whoever loses the third base job figures to be at second base. On Friday, it was Durbin taking ground balls at third base with Mayer at second base during drills, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.
McCaffrey noted they will likely be alternating, but that alignment is very likely. Durbin has more big league experience at third base, and Mayer came up as a shortstop, so the transition to second base full-time may make more sense.
Mayer is a great defender and figures to be better defensively than Durbin at both spots. It will come down to which alignment gives the Red Sox the best overall infield defense.
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As a hitter, Durbin has proven more than Mayer in the big leagues. Durbin slashed .256/.354/.387 with 11 home runs last season. He had a .777 OPS in the postseason. After June 1, he had a .270/.346/.415 slash line in the regular season.
Durbin’s swing figures to play well at Fenway Park, and he figures to slot in as an everyday option at either second or third base. He played mostly second base in the minor leagues, so he should have no problems playing there if the Red Sox want Mayer at third base.
Trevor Story and Willson Contreras seem locked in at shortstop and first base, so Mayer and Durbin’s spots are the last pieces to the puzzle.
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