A good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.
For the previous few seasons, the Boston Red Sox have struggled to complete major level rosters. This will not be the case at the start of the 2025 campaign.
The Red Sox have rekindled their playoff dreams after a successful offseason. The additions of Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet, and Walker Buehler have turned heads across the league and given the Red Sox a much brighter outlook for the near future.
However, there has been a lot of roster debate and controversy early this spring. Much of the discussion has concentrated on Bregman potentially taking Rafael Devers’ third base position, something Devers rebuffed in his first comments of the spring last Monday.
Manager Alex Cora and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow have a lot on their plates, including the decision on third base, whether any top prospects make the roster, and which periphery players may be demoted to the minors.
Cora spoke on WEEI’s Greg Hill Show on Tuesday about the upcoming roster crunch and how he expects the team to handle matters, including the Devers-Bregman debate.
“Decisions will be made in a few weeks, and there’s going to be people upset,” Cora said. “There’s going to be people are going to be sent down, and they’re going to be upset at the manager and Craig. But that’s the good thing about having good players. Three years ago, we didn’t have this conversation.”
“As far as the clubhouse, I’m not worried. They’re grown men, and we have adults in the room now. We do. And you see the way they talk. Actually, Alex is working with Raffy (Devers) at third base. The first thing he did was telling him about one point, about glove presentation, all that, and Raffy got it right away.”
There’s a fair chance Devers and Bregman will be asked to play third base early in the season, especially if Masataka Yoshida’s rehabilitation from shoulder surgery is delayed. Eventually, whether Bregman plays third or second will be determined, and top prospect Kristian Campbell could force the team’s hand by demonstrating his readiness for the second-base position.
Hopefully, for the Red Sox’s sake, Cora’s prediction comes true and the squad is able to unite despite some significant roster conflicts this spring.
