The Boston Red Sox made some intriguing roster moves this offseason, particularly in the trade market. Adding Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Johan Oviedo certainly caught fans' attention.
However, the departure of Alex Bregman in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Cubs left a significant gap. Enter Caleb Durbin, the 5-foot-6 infielder tasked with filling Bregman's shoes.
Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report pegged Durbin as the Red Sox's "X-factor" for the 2026 season, and it's clear why. Stepping in for an All-Star and a core Team USA member in the World Baseball Classic is no small feat.
Red Sox's Third Base Gamble with Durbin
Durbin's role at third base is a bold move by the Red Sox. With Bregman gone and missed opportunities in free agency, the pressure is on. If Durbin struggles, the team may have to rely on Nate Eaton or Isiah Kiner-Falefa, which could expose a weakness at the hot corner.
Durbin, relatively new to the Majors, had a promising debut year in 2025. His stats were solid: a 2.8 bWAR over 136 games with the Brewers, 114 hits, 25 doubles, 60 runs, 11 homers, 53 RBIs, 18 steals, 30 walks, 50 strikeouts, a .256 average, and a .721 OPS with a 101 OPS+.
Interestingly, Durbin led the Majors in hit-by-pitches with 24. Despite a strong rookie year, he narrowly missed out on the NL Rookie of the Year, finishing third behind Cade Horton and Drake Baldwin.
While Durbin's rookie stats are commendable, they don't quite match Bregman's 3.5 bWAR, .273 average, and .821 OPS from last year. Durbin will need to elevate his game to fill the void left by Bregman.
If he can't at least replicate his rookie success, the Red Sox might face some tough questions about their third base strategy in 2026.