Why Kristian Campbell Would Benefit From This Red Sox Roster Move

The Boston Red Sox relied on versatility in recent years to maximize rosters that needed a jolt. Alex Cora is used to mixing and matching to squeeze out production and that’s carried into this season.

The reality now is that the Red Sox have capable talent around the field, despite recent struggles, that must stay put and grow into those positions. Kristian Campbell is the perfect example. He’s taken the majority of reps at second base, though Cora takes the chance once a week to play him in center field with different plans for Ceddanne Rafaela, who’s struggled at the plate.

It’s great that Campbell has athletic versatility and the Red Sox should embrace that, but the reality is there’s been too much inconsistency in the lineup, both in the order and production, early this season. Campbell needs to play second base. Platooning Triston Casas and Wilyer Abreu, who yes have both cooled off, against lefties isn’t going to get them back in their groove.

If the Red Sox want other at-bats in center field, forcing Campbell there once a week isn’t the answer and isn’t the best solution to help the lineup. That would be calling up Roman Anthony, who’s smashing the ball through the cold in Triple-A Worcester and hit the hardest ball at that level or in the majors for Boston all season over the weekend.

The Red Sox shouldn’t feel the need to rush Anthony on the surface level, but simply inserting him in the outfield with Duran and Abreu is the far more beneficial solution than forcing Campbell out of the position he’s growing into in the majors to cycle once a week with Rafaela in a change that hasn’t made a positive impact.

If this is the reason to bring up Anthony, the Red Sox should do it.

Leave Campbell at second. Play the best players. Leave the forced mixing-and-matching behind.