Caleb Durbin continues making Red Sox look like geniuses for passing on Alex Bregman

Because the Boston Red Sox just went on a historic run that propelled them into the upper echelon of American League teams, it's easy to lose the individual stories that are defining this team right now. It feels like almost everyone is playing well on every given night, hence the incredible turnaround.

But Caleb Durbin is in the midst of an impossible turnaround his own, going from scapegoat to hero in a matter of months. Besides the fact that he literally played hero during the 15-game win streak when he stunned the Baltimore Orioles with an eighth-inning homer, he's also been the second-most valuable hitter in the lineup since June 1, slashing .297/.356/.527 (141 wRC+).

That massive performance has his season-long line up to .235/.300/.394, and while that's still below-average territory (89 wRC+), it's far more respectable than where he was at in May. And in even more incredible news, his .694 OPS is actually superior to the .688 mark old friend Alex Bregman has been responsible for this year.

As hard as it is to believe, it appears that Craig Breslow might have made the right decisions at third base.

Caleb Durbin has miraculously changed the tune around Red Sox's future at third base

Bregman has, naturally, been a vocal and defensive leader for a very solid Cubs team this year, but he's one of the weak links in their lineup. Considering he's their highest compensated player, it's fair to say that Chicago might be having some buyer's remorse right about now. Durbin, who is making just $796,000 this year compared to Bregman's $35 million AAV, might not ready for quite the same spotlight as a leader, but he's proven to be an excellent defender in his own right at the hot corner.

It's amazing how well this is turning out for Breslow and company; there was no shortage of outrage and frustration after the veteran slugger walked in free agency, and matters were only made worse when Durbin came out of the gates in a historic slump (while Kyle Harrison quickly established himself as an ace in Milwaukee). That hole should have been too deep to climb out of, at least this quickly. And yet, here we are, with the second-year third baseman even out-producing Rafael Devers' total value (1.2 fWAR).

One would have to expect that a three-time All-Star like Bregman will eventually snap out of his season-long funk, while Durbin will probably settle into a middle ground between what he showed in April-May and now here in June-July. But the fact that we can take this momentary victory lap at all in 2026 is a testament to the mojo the Red Sox have going right now, and perhaps the kind of decision-making wisdom that will eventually guide them back to the promised land.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow