MLB Insider Reveals Red Sox’s Risky Infield Plan For 2026
With less than two weeks to go until the start of spring training, the Boston Red Sox’s infield remains unsettled. Alex Bregman’s unexpected departure in free agency threw a massive wrench into things, and the Red Sox have yet to find a replacement or a solution.
As things stand, Boston still has holes at third base and second base. The Red Sox have been linked to several infielders in various trade rumors, but nothing have come of them yet and they’re running out of time to make a deal. They also don’t have much financial flexibility to sign someone, as they’re already over the second luxury tax threshold.
With Trevor Story at shortstop and Willson Contreras sharing first base duties with Triston Casas, who will man the keystone and the hot corner for Boston?
On Thursday, MLB insider Jon Heyman provided an update on the Red Sox’s potential infield plan for The New York Post (subscription required).
According to Heyman, Boston may go with Marcelo Mayer at third base and a platoon of Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton at second base. He added that the Red Sox have tried to trade for Nico Hoerner, Isaac Paredes and others, but a trade appears unlikely at this point.
If that’s the plan, it’s a risky and potentially disappointing one for Boston. Mayer only has one season of MLB experience under his belt, and it did not go well as he endured his share of growing pains. He’s also been injury-prone throughout his professional career and got hurt again last year.
While the former top prospect has breakout potential for 2026, his year could easily go sideways if he continues to struggle or gets hurt.
Meanwhile, a Gonzalez/Hamilton platoon could be pretty underwhelming as well. Hamilton regressed from a solid 2024 and was one of the worst hitters in baseball last year, so betting on him to bounce back is risky. Gonzalez is coming off a career year, but can he replicate it?
The Red Sox are asking a lot of these three. Replacing Bregman will be a tall task for Mayer, and the second base platoon seems hit or miss. Either way, Boston will likely need to rely on its outfield to carry the offense this year.