Boston Red Sox 2025 Position Analysis: Third Base

When the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, the assumption was that he would fill the hole at second base, but in Rafael Devers' absence, he has spent all of his time at third base during spring training. Due to a lingering shoulder issue, Devers is not expected to play any time at the hot corner this spring. That likely means he will begin the season as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old has gone back and forth on his stance regarding a position change, but if Devers remains reluctant to relinquish the only position he has ever known, how will manager Alex Cora handle the starting lineup?

Red Sox Third Base at a Glance
Starter: Alex Bregman
Backup: Rafael Devers
Depth: Romy Gonzalez, Nick Sogard
Red Sox Third Base 2024 fWAR ranking: 10 out of 30 

The Good
With Bregman handling third base, the defense at the hot corner is dramatically better. The 30-year-old comes to Boston after winning a Gold Glove at the position with the Astros last season. Devers has never been the surest of gloves, with a .944 fielding percentage over his seven-year career, and the advanced metrics paint even more dire picture. He has led the American League in third-base errors in those seven seasons and all of baseball in third-base errors five times.

Cora's optimal lineup is starting the season (and possibly going all season long) with Devers as the designated hitter. Devers' acceptance of that role is unlikely, even if he says he will do whatever is best for the team, but more on this later. This move also allows Cora to insert Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton, or Vaughn Grissom at second base            (though Grissom was optioned to the minors yesterday, so he's unlikely to man the keystone any time soon). Those are far better options than Bregman at second, and Gonzalez or Sogard could down third until Devers is ready to return to the field.

The Bad
A month ago, Devers said in an interview, "Third base is my position." However, nine years remain on his contract, so a trade is nearly impossible. He has since backed off those statements, saying he will do whatever the Red Sox ask. Should it become permanent, it will be interesting to see how Devers' position change affects the locker room. All baseball players, regardless of age, have an ego that helps them strive for excellence. Being told you are no longer playing the position you have played your whole career has to feel like a punch in the gut. Devers is only 28 and still in his prime, so it is not like we are talking about a 35-year-old nearing retirement. We'll be hearing more about this situation long after spring training ends.

The Bottom Line
Over his career, Devers has been a defensive hindrance, making the addition of a Gold Glover, Bregman, a noticeable upgrade at third base. Offensively, the Red Sox are better with Masataka Yoshida at designated hitter when he returns from the injured list, Devers at third, and Bregman at second. However, suppose Campbell breaks camp as the Opening Day second baseman and is productive at the beginning of his rookie year. In that case, Cora will have another complicated decision to make when Yoshida returns, which will likely lead to Yoshida being traded.