The Red Sox still haven’t tipped their hand on Franklin Arias, but they are acting like a team that wants to keep every door open.
Boston’s next move with the infielder is one of the biggest calls it has to make over the next few weeks. A lot of clubs will summon top prospects, but Arias is a different kind of case because any debut would come right in the middle of a pennant race. That’s a lot to ask of a rookie, even one the organization clearly believes in.
The timeline remains murky. Some reports have Boston targeting a call-up sometime in the next month or so, while others say Arias won’t arrive until 2027. For now, there’s no firm answer on what the club plans to do.
What is clear is how the Red Sox are handling him right now. Boston is giving Arias work at both middle infield positions, a move that could be simple preparation or a sign of something bigger.
“Arias continues to get reps at both middle infield stops to give the big league club options for a role down the stretch and potentially in October. The Red Sox have a history with young players making similar ascensions, most notably when Xander Bogaerts joined the 2013 championship team,” Tim Crowley wrote.
That leaves a few possibilities on the table. It could mean nothing more than building flexibility. Or it could be a clue that Boston wants Arias ready to handle shortstop or second base if the need arises.
At the very least, the Red Sox are treating second base as part of the equation, whether that matters only for the future or for a debut that could come much sooner than expected.
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