If you haven't been obsessively checking the transaction wire this winter, you might be in for a bit of a shock when you look at the 2026 depth chart. The "Hot Corner" at Fenway Park used to be the most stable spot on the field. For years, you just wrote one name in sharpie and moved on. But things have changed. Fast.
The current situation for the Boston Red Sox third baseman is, honestly, a bit of a jigsaw puzzle that the front office is still trying to force into place before Pitchers and Catchers report.
The Rafael Devers Void: A Recap of the Chaos
We have to address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the absence of one. Watching Rafael Devers get traded to the San Francisco Giants last June was a "where were you when" moment for most of New England. It felt like the end of an era because, well, it was. "Carita" had been the face of the franchise, but the Red Sox decided to pivot, moving his massive contract and high-octane bat to the West Coast in exchange for a package focused on long-term sustainability.
Devers finished 2025 with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs between the two clubs. Seeing those numbers in a Giants uniform still stings for a lot of fans. He was more than just a Boston Red Sox third baseman; he was the heartbeat of the lineup. Now, the team is staring down a 2026 season where that power and charisma have to be replaced by committee or a high-stakes gamble.
Who is the Boston Red Sox Third Baseman Right Now?
As of mid-January 2026, there isn't one "guy." It’s a battle.
Alex Bregman was the big target. The Red Sox brought him in for 2025, and he was solid—posting an .821 OPS and providing that veteran "grinta" the clubhouse desperately needed. But Bregman opted out. He’s a free agent again, and while Boston has reportedly made "aggressive offers" to bring him back, he’s exploring a market that is always hungry for elite infielders.
If Bregman signs elsewhere, the internal options are a mix of "wait and see" and "ready for a shot."
- Marcelo Mayer: The crown jewel of the farm system. While primarily a shortstop, Mayer has been getting looks at third in various depth charts. He’s 6'3", has the arm for it, and his left-handed bat is the kind of thing scouts drool over. He finished 2025 recovering from injury, but he’s healthy now and listed on the MLB depth chart at 3B.
- Romy Gonzalez: The ultimate Swiss Army knife. He can play anywhere, and honestly, he’s probably the safest "defensive" bet if they need a stopgap. But is he the long-term answer? Probably not.
- Nick Sogard: Another versatile piece. He’s got the switch-hitting advantage, which manager Alex Cora loves for late-inning matchups.
The Trade Rumors and "Plan C"
Craig Breslow and the front office aren't just sitting on their hands. The rumor mill is churning. You’ve probably heard the names: Isaac Paredes from the Astros or even Eugenio Suarez as a veteran power source.
Suarez is 34 now. He’s not a Gold Glover anymore, but if you need 25+ home runs and someone to bridge the gap until a prospect like Mikey Romero (who has an ETA of 2026) is truly ready, he’s a viable "Plan C." The trade market for Paredes is tougher. Houston knows what they have, and they aren't going to let a two-time All-Star go for pennies, especially since they're looking to replace Bregman themselves.
Why Most People Get the 2026 Infield Wrong
People keep looking for the "Next Devers." Stop. There isn't another Devers. The Red Sox are moving toward a more athletic, contact-oriented infield. If you look at guys like Kristian Campbell, who struggled a bit in 2025 but still has massive upside, you see the vision. They want guys who can move. They want flexibility.
The strategy seems to be:
- Sign a veteran (Bregman or a trade target) to stabilize the position for 2-3 years.
- Let the "Big 3" prospects (Mayer, Anthony, Campbell) dictate when they are ready to take over.
- Don't overpay for a 30-something-year-old if it means losing the flexibility to re-sign Jarren Duran or address the rotation.
What to Watch During Spring Training
The battle for the Boston Red Sox third baseman spot will be the biggest story in Fort Myers. Watch the footwork. Watch who’s taking grounders with the first-team defense.
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If Marcelo Mayer looks comfortable at the corner, the Red Sox might just save their money and let the kid play. But if he struggles with the speed of the game at that position, expect a trade or a late-February signing of a veteran like Suarez.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the Bregman News: If he signs with a rival (looking at you, Toronto or Seattle), the Red Sox will have to move fast on a trade for someone like Paredes.
- Follow Mikey Romero’s Progress: He’s the dark horse. Ranked as the #5 3B prospect in baseball for 2026, he could be the mid-season call-up that changes everything.
- Check the Statcast Data: Keep an eye on the exit velocity of the younger infielders in Spring Training. The Red Sox lost a lot of "thump" with Devers; they need to find where that 110-mph power is going to come from in the new-look 2026 lineup.
This isn't just about filling a spot on a scorecard. It's about defining the identity of the "New" Red Sox. Whether it's a veteran homecoming for Bregman or the dawn of the Marcelo Mayer era, the hot corner is the most interesting place in Boston right now.