In an unsurprising move, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters (including Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe) that Marcelo Mayer will make the Opening Day roster and act as Boston’s regular second baseman. It isn’t quite an everyday role, as Cora said the left-handed hitting Mayer will be protected against some southpaw pitchers. Veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa or utilityman Andruw Monasterio are both right-handed batters and should be part of this platoon at the keystone.
Mayer didn’t exactly force the issue by hitting only .214/.389/.321 over 36 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action, but it always seemed like the former top prospect was being lined up for some type of regular role in the Red Sox infield as either the second or third baseman. After the Sox didn’t land such targets as Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette this winter, Caleb Durbin was acquired from the Brewers and will handle third-base duties, leaving second as Mayer’s landing spot.
Selected fourth overall in the 2021 draft, Mayer was a fixture within the top-15 of MLB Pipeline and Baseball America’s top-100 lists in each of the last four years. He made his big league debut last season and hit .228/.272/.402 over 136 plate appearances before suffering a wrist sprain that eventually required surgery. Mayer mostly played third base last year since his call-up coincided with an IL stint for Bregman, though he did make eight appearances at second base and two cameos at shortstop.
Mayer was initially drafted as a shortstop, and that could eventually still end up as his position in the majors once Trevor Story‘s contract is up following the 2027 season. For now, the plan is just to get Mayer acclimated to playing in the bigs and for the 23-year-old to establish himself as at least a solid regular. The Sox don’t need for Mayer to be a star just yet, as it’s a good step in his development for Mayer to just stay on the field altogether after a few injury-marred years.
In other roster news, the Red Sox have optioned Kristian Campbell to Triple-A Worcester, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports. This decision was also no surprise given the crowded state of Boston’s roster, and playing everyday in Worcester makes more sense for Campbell than playing sparingly in a part-time role with the Sox.
A year ago at this time, Campbell was preparing to make his MLB debut, as the Red Sox chose to include the breakout prospect on their Opening Day roster. A fourth-round pick for Boston in the 2023 draft, Campbell tore up minor league pitching in his first two pro seasons, and was hitting so well that he’d earned a promotion to Triple-A before the 2024 season was over. Within a week of his first game in the Show, the Red Sox cemented Campbell’s spot as a cornerstone by signing him to an eight-year, $60MM extension.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly when Campbell hit .313/.420/.515 over his first 119 PA in the majors, but what looked like an epic rookie season quickly came to a halt, as he hit only .157/.241/.220 over his next 141 PA. Campbell’s defense was also a big concern, as he posted -16 Defensive Runs Saved and -8 Outs Above Average across only 471 2/3 innings at second base.
The Red Sox chose to option Campbell to Worcester last June 20, and he didn’t receive another call-up over the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Campbell hit a decent but unspectacular .273/.382/.417 over 319 Triple-A PA, and he spent most of his time on the diamond as a first baseman, as well as seeing time at all three outfield slots in addition to second base.
Where Campbell might end up on the big league roster remains speculative. The Red Sox outfield is already crowded (Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu), plus Masataka Yoshida remains in the outfield and DH mix. Mayer and Durbin have second and third base covered for now. As for first base, offseason acquisition Willson Contreras has two years remaining on his contract, so that’s still a while for Campbell to wait if the Sox potentially now view him as Contreras’ heir apparent. Triston Casas is also still in the first base picture, looking to bounce back from his injury-shortened 2025 season.
Some future trades could potentially clear this situation up to some extent, with Duran, Casas, and Yoshida often mentioned as speculative trade candidates. Campbell’s contract keeps him part of Boston’s future plans and also probably keeps him off the trade market, as any interested teams would be making a $57MM investment in a belief that Campbell will emerge in the big leagues.
Let me be the first to say congratulations and good for him !!
Job well done and he has earned it.
Let’s hope Mayer doesn’t get benched too much against lefties.
And for the love of God, they need to stop assuming a RHB is always a better option against LHP.
IKF had a .536 OPS vs LHP last year and .643 for his career, Monasterio should be the one playing when Cora benches Mayer.
I think he probably will be. IKF to me is mostly for late game replacement, pinch running, and starting when others need a rest/are DTD
(just to be clear since I just said “he” in response to a post about 3 players: I think Monasterio will be the regular 2B option vs. LHP)
Meow – I think you’re right, but the thought of paying IKF $6M for such a limited role makes me nauseous. Glove-only bench players aren’t paid nearly that much.
Yeah I don’t really get the IKF signing when it feels like they could get almost everything he provides + more roster flexibility from Nick Sogard. But IKF has been a 2+ WAR player as recently as 2024 so he could end up being a sneaky value-add.
Meow – If the Durbin trade never happens, Mayer would be the 3B and IKF would have been the 2B. I think that’s all IKF was, insurance if they didn’t land any other infielder.
I think he was mostly signed as a decent defensive backup at SS. Nobody else has that much experience at short. Story needed a defensive backup with his age and history.
He was only ever a defensive replacement-backup at SS. Nobody else has that much experience there.
FPG
I want Mayer in there everyday. Let the Sox commit to him. He must be in there to show he can hit the tough lefties. He needs the abats to improve and show if he can be that solid everyday player.
How do you feel about Anthony leading off? I know when he was put in the leadoff spot last year the team and offense really improved. What would be your optimal lineup?…
cdc – hi!
Benching Mayer against LHP would help the team, but it would keep him from becoming a fulltime player. He is way too talented and young to be a platoon player, he should play every day.
I still feel the same about Roman batting leadoff, I’d rather he bat second but since Cora will insist L/R throughout, I’d go:
Roman
Contreras
Duran
Story
Abreu
Durbin
Mayer
Narvaez
Rafaela
cdc – hi!
Final tune-up of ST and Crochet looked awful, I need someone to tell me everything is gonna be alright.
I didn’t see the game but saw the score. I agree that is not the way you want to wrap up spring training. Hopefully just an off day. Maybe he was not feeling great. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Uncle – Not sure if you heard his postgame comments, he blamed it on pitch selection and lower velo. He was not experimenting with pitches, which we all knew because you don’t experiment during the final start of ST.
I’m not worried. The guy is human, I don’t expect him to repeat what he did last season. As long as he has a sub-3 ERA and pitches at least 175 innings I’ll be very happy. He doesn’t need to lead the league in Innings and Strikeouts again.
I’ve been a big advocate for 1. Duran 2. Anthony or 1. Durbin 2. Anthony 3. Duran. Makes too much sense. L/R be damned. They are tailor made for each other at the top of the lineup
Sean – I thought about putting Durbin 2nd, he has the speed but he doesn’t have the OBP though.
One thing I do know, Story should NOT be batting 2nd. His OBP is way too low.
FPG
Traditionalist like myself, would switch Duran and Anthony. But considering how effective it was last season I think it’s the way to go. If they struggle to produce maybe a switch happens.
I repeat ,I want Mayer in there against lefties until he proves he is not capable of at least league average against them.
No worries on Crochet, I hope……
His performance in the WBC has got me very excited for Abreau. How about 32 hrs,91 RBI ,.273 ba… and another GG.
Very quick to dismiss dude. What’s up with that? Very much not like you. What are you basing this on? His low OBP? His rookie year? Have a look at his career. He can handle leading off
I guess the question is… why not have story play 2B? Mayer is the superior defender. Too much pressure? We don’t need to cater to story now that he opted in.
Sean: Breslow asking a high-paid player to change position for the betterment of the team is still on cooldown after the Devers thing. Maybe for 2027 😹
Oh don’t you know I know lol. FPG has a special place in his heart for that move. Was trying to get a rise out of him
Sean – I think we’ve talked about this before, it’s a veteran respect thing. I mean Jeter refused to move for a GG shortstop in ARod, imagine losing your position to a rookie.
His range has been down because he’s reluctant to dive too often after the shoulder injury, moving him to 2B won’t help that.
I do agree he’s better suited for 2B because his throwing problems would be less of an issue.
Sean – FTR I began advocating Raffy move to 1B several years ago! It was the move to fulltime DH that didn’t make any sense to me.
I’m with you on this. I was just poking the bear
Credit where it’s due Gary. You said Mayer getting the 2B job was ridiculous but were the first to comment and congratulate. Very magnanimous of you.
acell!! Thank you for going easy on me. You could’ve handled this differently and I appreciate it.
you’re welcome. no need for me or anyone to take an extended victory lap hahaha. I’m a big Mayer fan and I think everyone wants him to succed
This was a beautiful interaction we need more of this.
We both were wrong this spring Gary! Ha.
Pfft, concerning me, which time are you talking about ghost? Let me count the ways. Mayer triple AAA, Duran traded, adding a power hitter.., heck I haven’t called anything right in six months.
Campbell was smart to take that extension last year
Big – Just the fact he was the only one eager to take a team-friendly contract offer shows he didn’t have confidence in his abilities. I’m glad he got paid, he’s a great kid. Not his fault he got mismanaged so badly.
A lot of young guys would have just as eagerly signed that extension. It had nothing to do with his confidence.
Hank: Agreed. Just more negativity from the troll FPG.
I havent written KC off yet myself, far from it.
In some ways, even before last season, I was eyeing him to hopefully become a brock holt 2.0 for the team. When you look at the types of money thrown around to Hernandez as a utility guy for LAD/BOS and salary inflation, its not entirely outlandish for his contract to be for a guy in similar capacity…. But he would need to perform better, and, prove he can adjust to mlb pitchers.
GaSox – Kike was a starter with the Red Sox, except maybe at the very end when he was awful.
But yeah, KC can make a comeback. Most likely with another team, if the Sox finally give up on him.
more trolling from Fever regarding Campbell and being the only young guy to sign an extension when not even 6 months later Anthony signed a long term team friendly deal.
Sox aren’t and shouldn’t give up on Campbell yet.
FEVER – far, far, far, far too early to be talking about giving up on KC.
Youve got to remember how young he is. And, for the first month of last season, talking heads were bullish on the extension thinking it a steal.
Time will show how it does, even AA had a series of steals both in trades and early extensions… but did have some deals that were less surplus value shall we say than others.
Im fine with the risk reward side of things, knowing you’ll have some work oit better than others.
Kristian would absolutely still be a top 50 prospect if he had eligibility even with his slump in May. Giving up on him or trading him at his lowest is just nonsense.
GaSox – Just to reiterate, I was being serious when I wrote KC can make a comeback. But just like the Red Sox are not a good fit for Yoshida, they aren’t a good fit for Campbell either.
I mean look what they did to him last year. Rushed him to the majors after a ridiculously brief and fast ascension through the minors. Forced him to make radical changes to his hitting approach rather than let him at least partially stick with aspects that he was more comfortable with. Forced him to play and learn multiple positions, including first base which was a colossal failure. And put even more pressure on him by batting him in the cleanup spot. All while getting his first taste of the majors.
For the sake of his longterm career, he needs to be handled differently and better by a team that places his interests first. He needs to have the pressure taken off him, and he needs to play outfield which obviously won’t happen with 5 guys ahead of him on the Red Sox outfield depth chart.
They gave up on Grissom after two disastrous seasons, and he was a guy touted to be the Red Sox starting second baseman for many, many years to come. I think if KC has another bad season this year, even the Red Sox will realize he needs a change of scenery.
Fever, If you read back, i called Grissom for exactly what he was – having had thre benefit of seeing him in gwinnett and Atlanta gave me an edge, but, grissom wasn’t as good a prospect as Campbell, and had many more serious, and fundamental, flaws in his game.
Boston got duped and saw… I dont know what in Grissom. He had flamed out long before Boston acquired him.
GaSox – Pretty sure it was the hitting skills they saw in Grissom.
He was playing in the majors at age 21, which is 2 years younger than KC, and he was putting up a 119 OPS+
But I’m not at all comparing the talent of each player, I’m just comparing the situations. KC right now is where Grissom was a year ago, let’s hope it’s a better outcome this time. KC’s mental makeup is a concern, his body language and facial expressions spoke volumes. He doesn’t have the confidence of a struggling rookie named Pedroia.
as always FPG proving that a well written troll is still a troll. There is no evidence to say that Campbell’s mental makeup is a a concern and I doubt FPG is a body language expert.
That’s not a fair assumption at all
Mayer. 268 -18-73
I’d take that from a second baseman!
“.333-33-99” – P. Gammons
Rick, is that for his career?
.268 his OPS
I’d say that was about right. I’d be real happy with 150 healthy games.
John. 3:16
Campbell may be the modern day Scott Kingery or Rusney Castillo.
I doubt it. He’d be claimed if the Red Sox tried to DFA him
I mean hanging in the minors making bank.
I doubt it too, in the sense that he’s more talented than the other two. He will be back up.
Rick I think you’re in the ballpark.
There was absolutely no reason to rush an extension to Campbell last year. It’s now looking like a detriment rather than an asset. I’ll bet if he didn’t have that contract the Sox could have flipped him to Arizona for Marte.
If he continued at his original torrid pace, fans would argue the opposite. In the end, it still may be a team-friendly contract. Plenty of time left to live up to it.
When teams sign these young players to extensions, they’re not going to pay off every time. It’s a gamble, but one that often works out. And Campbell can still potentially make it turn out good for the team.
Hank – Absolutely! Look no further than Bello. He took a step back in 2024 and then took a huge step forward in 2025.
Hammerin’ Hank
20 hours ago
When teams sign these young players to extensions, they’re not going to pay off every time. It’s a gamble, but one that often works out. And Campbell can still potentially make it turn out good for the team.
___________________________________________
I think it’s better to sign a contract with a young promising player than with a 30+ free agent who can fall off a cliff at any moment (P.Sandoval, H.Ramirez, Carl Crawford.)
The Red Sox have chosen a different strategy than they did 10 years ago, when they were acquiring 30-plus-year-old free agents in droves.
Now it’s a targeted acquisition: Story in 2022 to replace Bogaerts in the future, Suarez in 2026 to complement Crochet.
And as practice shows, the extensions with Bello and Rafaela turned out to be very profitable signings, and these players haven’t even shown their prime yet; Rafaela’s contract has already paid for itself in just two seasons.
It looks like the Red Sox dodged a bullet with Bogaerts (as much as I love X), with Bregman.
Of course, when you sign young, promising players who haven’t played in MLB yet (like Campbell), there’s always a risk that the contract won’t work out.
However, it’s easier to eat, say, 7.5-15 million dollars than 25-30 million.
No reason to have hooked up Ceddanne and RA either, but pretty happy we did.
cg – The extension was because he was willing to take it, whereas Mayer and Roman weren’t offered anything to their liking.
Mayer and Roman had a strong ST last year, KC did not. Mayer and Roman had far more minor league games under their belt. Roman especially should never have been sent back to the minors. It was all about money, all about Breslow thinking he was a genius to get KC locked up to what “appeared” a bargain contract for the team. And they rewarded him by promoting him to the majors.
There. We now have the confirmation that Mayer will be on the opening day roster and the starting 2B. I’m guessing the final roster spot right now is between Monasterio and Eaton unless they pull off a surprise trade or a bigger surprise release (Yoshida)
I think yoshida’s surprising fielding during the WBC pulled him further from the brink of a release situation
GaSox – If I told you Yoshida has more stolen bases than hits in spring training, would you believe me?
He is hitless in ST (14 PA), even I am concerned now.
Fever- I would be more concerned if he had not been hitting well in the WBC.
It seems like lately nobody has been hitting for the Sox in spring training.
Uncle – I don’t fault the Sox hitters for today, Sale was dealing in his final ST tune-up.
I think earlier in ST they looked better than they are because the quality of pitchers they faced was quite low.
They play the Twins 8 times, their pitching is probably the worst in the league.
Fever- Sale’s performance since being traded certainly has been impressive. He has proven he has plenty left in the tank. Would have loved to see more of that with the Sox, but I understand they would have concerns about durability and likely did not expect him to regain the form he had prior to his setbacks.
Fever, I think is hilarious that im a little less concerned about yoshida for once, at exactly the moment you become concerned about his ST batting LOL
The irony is great.
The WBC is very disruptive to things and routines.
Serious question here… everyone (well serious baseball fans) knows the NPB does much different conditioning and drills approaches than MLB.
When Yoshida is with Samurai Japan, its logical to assume they use a NPB-style of exercises. I wonder if some of these Japanese players would benefit from using a more NPB-based training, calisthenics, etc approach to their mlb game preparations. It wouldnt make up for scheduling differences, but, for example, a 6 man rotation for SP isnt the most terrible idea either if guys go a little deeper in games than their 5+ these days…
(Side note, I find it strange *only* Japan exercises team branding – theyre samurai Japan, everyone else is just Team xyz….)
You may unlock a bit extra from your NPB talent, you may have a leg up on acquiring them to begin with, and, you watch. Major leaguers, they’ve already got latitude on their pre-game anyways…
GaSox – Yoshida did all his WBC damage against the lowly Czechs, Australia, Taipei and Korea. When it really counted, against Venezuela, he did nothing. So I have reason to be skeptical. Maybe it’s because I’ve supported him for so long, and waited so long for him to be healthy, I’ve kinda run out of patience. But yeah it is funny we switched views on him at the same time. LOL!
As always you have an excellent point about NPB.
Campbell might be the highest paid AAA player that I can remember. Not a Sox fan but I remember when Campbell signed the contract. Didn’t realize he was a defensive liability either. If he rights himself in AAA the contract could still work.
Rusney Castillo will forever hold that honor unless they switch the rules back on how salary gets counted.
And people cant get too mad about how Castillo was handled – he *had* the right to leave, he chose to opt in to this remaining salary and stay at AAA knowing he wasnt going to get called back to Boston.
Yes. Rusney had a 7 year/$70M contract if I remember correctly.
Mayer looks like he’ll be a bust. Injuries are also an issue.
Campbell is falling apart too. I thought he’d be a star. Still time. His minor league numbers are incredible. Usually it is a good indicator of how they’ll do in the majors. Hopefully he figures it out.
Mayer being a bust is based on what exactly? I’ll grant that the injuries are concerning but so far there is little evidence Mayer will be a bust
Mayer is 23 years old, ya dope.
Let me guess, Triston Casas is going to be a star? Red Sox fans are delusional thinking every prospect will turn into a HOFer. Mayer has been uninspiring. We’ll see what happens.
no your take is uninspiring and ill informed. after like 100-200 at bats you’re writing him off.
Hoping for the best! I’ll gladly eat my words if that happens.