On Monday morning, the Milwaukee Brewers stunned their fans by trading Caleb Durbin to the Boston Red Sox. After finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, Durbin was anticipated to be Milwaukee’s starting third baseman for the 2026 season and likely beyond. Instead, he is now expected to occupy that role in Boston.
The trade also included outfielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler heading to the Red Sox, which significantly reduced the Brewers’ roster depth at third base. Joey Ortiz, who took on the third base position during the 2024 season, has transitioned to become Milwaukee’s starting shortstop. As a result, the Brewers face a shortage of experienced major league third basemen.
Exploring Sal Frelick’s Potential at Third Base
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold is considering all options to fill the third base position, including the surprising possibility of moving Gold Glove-winning outfielder Sal Frelick to third base. While the team plans to evaluate several prospects during Spring Training, Frelick’s versatility as a player has prompted discussions about giving him some playing time at the “hot corner.”
Regarding this idea, Arnold shared,
“I mean, look, we’re always open to experimenting, and Sal’s the best and he’s always willing to do whatever it takes. So, I think it is something we’ll discuss when we get to Arizona. But, he’s also a really good outfielder, a Gold Glove winner out there. We like him out there for sure. And we like the other infielders as well. But I love that about Sal. He’s always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team, and so that is certainly something that we will potentially discuss and explore, we’ve done that in the past.”
Arnold clarified the team’s current intentions by adding,
“But I would expect he starts as a Gold Glove outfielder for us going forward.”
Though fans might not recall, Frelick has already appeared at third base three times since joining Milwaukee, accumulating five innings at that position. While there is no plan to permanently remove him from right field, the Brewers value players who can fill multiple roles across the diamond. If Frelick performs well during Spring Training, it is possible he will see occasional action at third base throughout the season.
Roster Changes Leave Brewers in Transition
The departure of Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler has left the Brewers with few established options at third base for 2026. With Joey Ortiz shifting to shortstop and several prospects still unproven, the Brewers face an uncertain infield setup heading into the new season. This roster shakeup underscores the team’s need for flexibility and adaptability as they prepare for Spring Training in Arizona.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Brewers
Milwaukee’s willingness to consider moving Sal Frelick, an accomplished outfielder, to third base signals a readiness to adapt in response to roster challenges. This approach might offer the Brewers a unique way to maintain competitiveness despite losing key infield players. Fans can expect Spring Training to serve as a testing ground for these potential changes, as the team seeks the best configuration to start the 2026 campaign.
Ultimately, the Brewers’ ability to integrate versatile players like Frelick into unconventional roles could influence their overall season performance and stability in the infield. How this experiment unfolds will be an important storyline for Milwaukee as they navigate significant transition periods on their roster.
Full answer from Matt Arnold👇 pic.twitter.com/WwXLJAwdqt
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) February 9, 2026
