The most consequential move of the Boston Red Sox's offseason is probably one that they didn't make — Alex Bregman left the team after one season to sign with the Chicago Cubs for the rest of his career, leaving the Sox to scramble to find a new infielder.
Many fans and reporters expected Boston to sign a veteran infielder to replace Bregman, but it landed yet another young player to join its already-youthful ranks. Despite his relative inexperience as he enters his sophomore season, it feels like he's been a Red Sox forever.
Maybe Caleb Durbin is a familiar player to Sox fans — his stature, Rookie of the Year finalist-status and gutsy playing style are reminiscent of a longtime fan-favorite, Dustin Pedroia. His excellent spring training has also helped fans warm up to him.
The 26-year-old slashed .354/.446/.500 with a .946 OPS, five doubles, a triple and nine RBI over 18 Grapefruit League games. He struck out and walked six times each. Not striking out is a hallmark of Durbin's game and a talent the Red Sox desperately need after last season. Durbin posted a 96th percentile whiff rate and a 98th percentile strikeout rate in his rookie year.
Red Sox's newest infielder Caleb Durbin is primed to grow into a fan-favorite
Durbin's career started as a New York Yankees prospect. They traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2025 campaign, who then flipped him to Boston in a six-player trade. Durbin's second trade in as many years hasn't kept him from producing in the early goings of his Red Sox career, and his job as their starting third baseman is well-earned.
Reporters, local and beyond, have raved about Durbin's performance in his first month with the Red Sox. MLB insider Jim Bowden named Durbin the player who has "[turned] heads" with Boston this spring (subscription required). Ian Browne of MLB.com gave the clearest endorsement of the third baseman yet: "My surest thing after watching this spring is that Fenway fans will love Caleb Durbin."
His playing style may not make many highlight reels — Durbin typically plays clean, league-average defense and keeps the ball inside the yard — but the early returns suggest he could grow into a fan-favorite among a laundry list of other popular young players. By the end of the year, Durbin could be one of the most reliable players in the Red Sox's strikeout-heavy lineup, and that would be quite the rebound after losing Bregman.