Red Sox fans might be overlooking massive middle infield logjam for 2025 season
There are going to be a lot of players fighting for not a lot of spots in the Red Sox middle infield.
The trade deadline is far behind at this point, and the only move the Red Sox made on the position player side of things was trading for Danny Jansen from the Toronto Blue Jays to become the new backup catcher to Connor Wong.
While the focus is deservedly on the 2024 team right now, what is being overlooked is the massive logjam in the middle infield the Red Sox having coming up this offseason as they look to set the roster for 2025. While Nick Yorke, one candidate for playing time there, was traded at the deadline for Quinn Priester, other dominos must fall.
This season, the Red Sox have used 11 players split between second base and shortstop from Opening Day through Aug. 12. Trevor Story, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez, Connor Wong, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Vaughn Grissom, Pablo Reyes, Jamie Westbrook, Nick Sogard, and Zack Short have all played at least one game at either shortstop or second this year.
Top prospect Marcelo Mayer is now on the doorstep of the majors after being promoted to Triple-A, so he'll need a spot to play in the infield, whether it's shortstop or even second or third base. Story, who's nearing a return from his shoulder injury and subsequent surgery early in the season, will need a spot in the infield potentially as soon as the final stretch of this season.
Red Sox fans might be overlooking massive middle infield logjam for 2025 season
That's already two guys likely in need of everyday playing time in the majors. The Red Sox will also have to find time for Grissom and even guys like Hamilton, Gonzalez, and Sogard, as all three have performed well in the majors this year, though the sample sizes vary.
With all those guys in the mix entering 2025, that's seven players competing for two infield spots, as we know Rafael Devers and Triston Casas are entrenched in the corner spots barring injuries. Rafaela has the benefit of being an excellent defender in center field, so Alex Cora should have no trouble getting him in the lineup anyway.
With so many guys fighting for so few spots, Breslow will have some work to do in that department this offseason. Perhaps he could package a few middle infielders in a trade for pitching, whether it's a starter or a reliever. Perhaps a bigger move is in store too, as even Story could be traded, though the Red Sox would have to swallow a lot of the contract and not get much back.
No matter what happens, the middle infield is a situation worth monitoring down the stretch and throughout the offseason because notable changes will be coming once November arrives.