{"id":19368,"date":"2025-01-15T05:07:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T05:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=19368"},"modified":"2025-01-15T05:07:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T05:07:58","slug":"red-sox-make-game-changing-move-boosting-top-prospects-versatility-hints-at-blockbuster-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=19368","title":{"rendered":"“RED SOX MAKE GAME-CHANGING MOVE: Boosting Top Prospect’s Versatility HINTS AT BLOCKBUSTER DEAL!”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Boston Red Sox’s middle infield depth surplus has often been called a “logjam.” Trevor Story, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Ceddanne Rafaela, Romy Gonz\u00e1lez, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer will all need roster spots at some point next season, and some of their positions are up in the air.<\/p>\n

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow clarified that Rafaela will spend most of his time in the outfield this coming season and Gonz\u00e1lez can play almost anywhere. Boston is still left with plenty of infielders and potentially more coming\u00a0if it’s still in on free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Alex Cora, who formerly coached Bregman during their time with the Astros, said he always imagined the veteran as a second baseman.\u00a0The Red Sox have targeted Bregman as a second baseman,<\/a>\u00a0and if he signs, their middle infield depth will increase for another five to seven years.<\/p>\n

To put all their bats to good use,\u00a0the Red Sox plan to increase Mayer’s defensive versatility,<\/a>\u00a0according to Christopher Smith of\u00a0MassLive<\/em>. The 22-year-old is a shortstop by trade, but he’ll get some innings at second and third base this year to increase flexibility in Cora’s lineup.<\/p>\n

Red Sox will give Marcelo Mayer reps at second and third base as well as his usual shortstop<\/h2>\n
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