Dustin Pedroia stands tall in Boston Red Sox lore as arguably the greatest second baseman the team has ever seen. With an MVP award under his belt and ranking 10th in bWAR among all-time Red Sox players, Pedroia made an impressive 11 consecutive Opening Day starts. Since his last Opening Day appearance in 2017, second base has been a carousel of players, each trying to fill the void left by Pedroia.
After Pedroia, Eduardo Nunez took the reins in 2018 and 2019. Since then, the position has seen a new face each year, with Jose Peraza, Kiké Hernandez, Trevor Story, Christian Arroyo, Enmanuel Valdez, and Kristian Campbell all taking turns. As we head into 2026, Trevor Story remains on the roster, joined by Campbell as the only holdovers from this revolving door.
The Red Sox have struggled to find stability at second base since their 2018 championship, despite changes in their baseball operations leadership. Only Arroyo and Valdez have managed to play over 100 games at the position from 2019 to 2025, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Red Sox are eyeing Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa (IKF), and Andruw Monasterio as the primary options for second base. Mayer needs to surpass 92 games this season to hit the 100-game mark, while Monasterio and IKF are newcomers expected to serve in utility roles. Romy Gonzalez, although starting the season on the injured list, is another candidate who could reach 100 games with an additional 37 appearances.
Manager Alex Cora recently clarified his strategy regarding a potential platoon involving IKF and Mayer. Initially suggesting a mix-and-match approach with Monasterio and IKF, Cora confidently stated, “I know it’s mix-and-match. It’s not, ‘I think.’”
The crux of the issue is that the current setup doesn't offer a permanent solution. Mayer might hold the position temporarily, but he could easily shift to shortstop once Story's contract concludes. Campbell, once seen as a long-term solution, has transitioned to the outfield after struggling defensively.
While second base alone isn't enough to derail a season, it symbolizes a broader challenge for the organization since 2019. The Red Sox have been in a cycle of bringing in veteran stopgaps and searching for hidden gems to fill gaps. Although the quest for a lasting answer at second base continues, the players stepping in this season are poised to make a significant impact, and for now, that's what counts.