The Boston Red Sox entered spring training largely healthy and with the players on their Opening Day roster well established — there were just a few position battles in early February, and they remain as March 26 approaches.
Arguably the spring's biggest position battle became obvious the day before spring training officially began, when the Red Sox signed Caleb Durbin. He, Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are still battling to determine who will take up second and third base on Opening Day.
The hot corner is nearly decided, as Alex Cora said he would declare who will take up third base by Friday, March 13. He's already said he's "very comfortable" playing Durbin at third base. In almost the same breath, he said Mayer will still have to fight to earn his roster spot at the other open position. Chris Cotillo of MassLive is confident he'll succeed.
“I thought there was about a 98% chance he’d make the team when camp opened and I’m still right there,” Cotillo said on the "BoSox Talk" podcast. "...I don't see who the challenger for at-bats at one of those spots is. If you had somebody else who was pretty good, or if they wanted maybe to challenge a healthy Romy Gonzalez to take over against righties and lefties, which they're not going to because he might need shoulder surgery... Who else is it gonna be?"
Chris Cotillo believes there's a '98% chance' Marcelo Mayer makes the Red Sox's Opening Day roster
Chris Cotillo on if Marcelo Mayer will make the Red Sox’s Opening Day roster on the latest episode of BoSox Talk 👀
— Jake Iggy (@JakeIggy) March 12, 2026
“Nothing’s changed to me. I thought there was about a 98% chance he’d make the team when camp opened and I’m still right there.” pic.twitter.com/HzcqUNDJVm
Cotillo referred to the Red Sox's infield depth group as "uninspiring," which makes sense. Monasterio is a utility player who's played a maximum of 98 games in a season during his rookie year in 2023. Kiner-Falefa is a weak hitter — one of the worst in the league terms of power. But, as "uninspiring" as they are, roster spots are awarded and maintained based on merit, and Mayer will need to take off to start the season to keep an everyday job.
Mayer has the defensive skill and offensive upside to be worth the risk among Boston's other infield options to start the campaign. Cora mentioned that he needs to see improved offense from Mayer before he commits to giving him an Opening Day roster spot, but the former top prospect has struggled to deliver. He's logged four hits, one a home run, in seven spring training appearances.
Cotillo theorized that the Red Sox told Mayer that he needs to earn his roster spot to motivate him. He's seen as part of the future in Boston, but his bat hasn't lived up to that role in the major leagues. He's still young with offensive upside to go around, but the Red Sox would like him to hit his stride early, especially given their streakiness last season.
Mayer helps Boston achieve its goal of improved infield defense, which could be enough to earn him a roster spot — he's 23 with just 44 games of major league experience, the hits will come with time. He'll have to perform well enough to keep his roster spot amid the competition, which will be the real challenge.