Boston Red Sox fans were instantly polarized by the team's trade of Chris Sale in Dec. 2023. The veteran had a brutal history of injuries in a Red Sox uniform, but he also posted some of the best seasons of his dominant career in Boston.
Sale performing incredibly well for the Braves in his first season out of a Red Sox uniform since 2017 was typical rotten Sox luck. Boston's return Vaughn Grissom's double hamstring strains made the trade seem all the more brutal. In 2025, though, Grissom may get his chance to make an impact for the Red Sox.
Boston hasn't added a righty bat or signed an additional infielder this winter. Grissom is both, and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic believes that the starting job at second base "is Grissom's to lose." There will be a few other players in the running for the starting role and a spot on the Opening Day roster, and a prospect may give Grissom a run for his money.
Kristian Campbell, McCaffrey and many others believe, is another potential contender to fill Boston's vacancy at second base. The 22-year-old rocketed through three levels of the minor leagues last season and collected multiple accolades along the way, including Minor League Player of the Year.
Kristian Campbell could erase Red Sox's need for Vaughn Grissom if he earns second base job out of spring training
There goes Kristian Campbell!
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) September 6, 2024
That one was 109 off the bat. pic.twitter.com/cQGEH4pkBw
Campbell has earned an invite to big league spring training — alongside other top Red Sox prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer — and could make the Opening Day roster if he breaks out. But the young infielder/outfielder has never faced big league pitching, which is where Grissom may have the leg-up.
Grissom appeared in two seasons with the Braves before he was dished to Boston last winter. He slashed .287/.339/.407 with a .746 OPS and five homers over 64 appearances in those two seasons. He struggled in his short stint in the majors with the Red Sox last year, though, when he batted .190/.246/.219 with 24 strikeouts over 31 games. If the 24-year-old finds his old self again, he could represent some of the right-handed production Boston lost after Tyler O'Neill signed with the Orioles in December.
Campbell could do the same if he continues his success from last year at spring training. He slashed .330/.439/.558 with a .997 OPS and 20 homers over 115 games, which was enough to earn him the nickname "Barry Bonds" among other Sox prospects. If Campbell excels in the majors as he did in the minors, he could turn Grissom into a trade candidate, especially with more top infield prospects on their way to Boston.
It will be a battle for the starting spot at second base during spring training. Romy González and David Hamilton could also factor in as potential starter options, especially given González's success against left-handed pitching last year (.302/.362/.517, .879 OPS.) But if Campbell earns the starting job and becomes Boston's young, go-to righty infielder, Grissom's time with the Sox could be short-lived.