Red Sox: Alex Cora Warming to Caleb Durbin as Everyday Third Baseman
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Boston Red Sox appear poised to hand the keys to third base to rookie Caleb Durbin, a little over a month before the start of the season opener. While manager Alex Cora hasn’t formally announced Durbin as the everyday starter, his comments Tuesday morning at the team’s spring training camp strongly suggest a decision has been made.
“We’ll probably decide that next week, but I sense very comfortable with him at third base,” Cora told reporters. The sentiment signals a significant shift in the competition for the position, one that opened following Alex Bregman’s departure to the Chicago Cubs in the offseason.
The Red Sox acquired Durbin, a right-handed hitter, from the Milwaukee Brewers in a six-player trade in February. The move brought in a player who immediately impressed the Red Sox coaching staff, and quickly became a frontrunner for the third base job. Durbin’s arrival filled a critical void left by Bregman, who had been a cornerstone of the Boston infield.
Last season, Durbin enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign with the Brewers, posting a .256 batting average with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs, and a .721 OPS across hits. He finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, establishing himself as a rising star in the league. His performance earned him the opportunity to compete for a starting role with the Red Sox.
The competition wasn’t without its internal candidates. Marcelo Mayer, another promising young infielder in the Red Sox system, also saw time at third base during spring training. However, Cora’s recent comments indicate that Durbin has pulled ahead in the race, offering the team a degree of stability at a key position.
Cora emphasized the importance of allowing Durbin to settle into one position, rather than rotating him between second and third base. “I don’t wish Caleb to be moving from second to third during the season. I want him to play one position only and then just go do your thing at the plate,” Cora explained. This suggests the Red Sox are prioritizing consistency and allowing Durbin to focus on developing his offensive game.
The manager also downplayed the intensity of the position battle, suggesting much of the speculation stemmed from external sources. “Honestly, it’s more for you guys,” Cora said, referencing the media’s focus on the competition. “It’s kind of like, ‘What are we going to do?’ It’s been five days of playing third base. He played the whole season there last year. It’s more for you guys than me.”
Cora also highlighted Durbin’s defensive capabilities, praising his arm strength and footwork. “I’ve seen a lot of third basemen with cannons at third base, but their footwork is not great,” Cora said. “This kid has a great arm and great footwork.” This assessment underscores the Red Sox’s confidence in Durbin’s ability to handle the defensive responsibilities of the position.
Durbin’s spring training performance has further solidified his position as the likely starter. Through eight games, he’s batting .278 with five hits in 18 at-bats, seven runs scored, two doubles, five RBIs, five walks, and an .8224 OPS. While spring training statistics should be viewed with caution, Durbin’s consistent performance has demonstrated his readiness for the challenge.
The decision to entrust Durbin with the third base job represents a significant vote of confidence in the young infielder. It also signals the Red Sox’s commitment to building around their emerging young talent, following the departure of established veterans like Bregman. The team is banking on Durbin’s potential to contribute both offensively and defensively, providing a long-term solution at a crucial position.
The Red Sox will continue to evaluate Durbin’s performance throughout the remainder of spring training, but all indications point towards him being the team’s starting third baseman when the regular season begins. The official announcement is expected next week, but Cora’s comments have effectively settled the debate, giving fans a clear indication of the team’s plans.