The Boston Red Sox face crucial lineup decisions this spring, particularly regarding their infield configuration. After acquiring Caleb Durbin, the team’s infield appears crowded with Trevor Story set firmly at shortstop and Willson Contreras at first base. However, the spots at second and third base remain contested between Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer as both vie to secure their positions.
FanGraphs currently projects Durbin to occupy second base while Mayer is slotted at third. Nonetheless, Red Sox manager Alex Cora is experimenting with their roles, rotating the players between second and third during spring training to identify the best fit for the team’s strategy.
Evaluating Durbin and Mayer’s Defensive Roles
Neither Durbin nor Mayer holds a definitive lock on either infield position. Both have experience at second base, but their natural position is third base, also known as the hot corner. Cora’s challenge is determining which player complements Trevor Story more effectively in the middle infield.
Looking at last season’s numbers, Caleb Durbin, 25, spent 43 innings at second base, recording an Outs Above Average (OAA) of minus-1. According to Baseball Savant, he had a -5% success rate added on 13 plays at second. Meanwhile, Marcelo Mayer, 23, logged 57 innings at second with a better OAA of plus-1 and a 3% success rate added.
While Mayer’s performance appears stronger defensively at second base, Durbin boasts a slightly more powerful arm, reflected in his average throw velocity, which suits third base responsibilities. Given this data, Cora might lean toward placing Durbin at third and Mayer at second for the upcoming season to optimize defensive alignment.
Spring Training Will Shape the Final Infield Alignment
Spring training will be key in clarifying the infield positions for Boston. Both Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer are expected to receive ample playing time to demonstrate their abilities at their prospective spots.
The Red Sox’s spring schedule begins Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, featuring a nationally televised game against the New York Yankees on March 4th airing on ESPN. These games will be important for player evaluation as the team builds chemistry and culture toward a championship goal.
A complicating factor is that 15 Red Sox players will exit spring training to compete in the World Baseball Classic, including Team USA outfielder Roman Anthony, which may disrupt consistency in early practice and games. Still, Durbin and Mayer will remain at JetBlue Park, ensuring Boston maintains continuity in working out the second and third base conundrum.
Implications for the Red Sox Season Ahead
The determination of who will consistently play second and third base holds significant consequences for the Red Sox’s defensive stability and overall roster balance. Manager Alex Cora’s ongoing experimentation highlights the uncertainty but also the adaptable potential within this young infield core. As spring training progresses, performance and defensive metrics will guide final decisions, shaping Boston’s lineup heading into the new MLB season.
"We had cutoffs and relays, so we kept [Durbin at third]. He’ll take grounders tomorrow at second base." — Alex Cora, post workout. https://t.co/wJPyv6eBO3
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) February 19, 2026
