The Boston Pink Sox added an infielder Tuesday. No, his identify is not Pete Alonso.
The Red Sox acquired Tristan Gray from the Rays in a commerce that despatched minor-league pitcher Luis Guerrero to Tampa Bay. Boston designed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for project to make room for Grey on the 40-man roster.
Grey is not precisely a family identify — he is hung out with 4 groups during the last two years since making his main league debut in 2023. The 29-year-old appeared in 30 video games for the Rays final season, nevertheless, posting a .231 batting common with a .693 OPS to associate with three house runs, 9 RBI and 5 doubles.
Grey has positional versatility, as properly: He made 9 begins at second base, seven begins at shortstop, three begins at second base and one begin at first base final season. In the intervening time, he initiatives as an infield depth choice who could make the occasional spot begin if wanted.
That begs the query: What may Boston’s beginning infield appear to be in 2026? The reply is sophisticated, because the Pink Sox are rumored to be serious about a number of outstanding infield free brokers whereas awaiting the choice of beginning third baseman Alex Bregman.
This is a position-by-position rundown of Boston’s infield:
First base
- Present depth chart: Triston Casas, Romy Gonzalez
- Potential free-agent targets: Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto
You’d need to assume the Pink Sox will add a power-hitting first baseman this offseason, particularly after DFA’ing Lowe. Casas has All-Star potential when wholesome however has performed simply 92 video games whole over the previous two seasons.
It seems Boston is already testing the first-base waters; MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported the Pink Sox are the “strongest contender” for Alonso if he would not re-sign with the New York Mets, whereas including that Craig Breslow and Co. have “checked in” on Schwarber.
Murakami and Okamoto are two of the most effective hitters in Japan who’re both coming stateside this winter. Each are third basemen however can play first base, so maybe the Pink Sox would discover including them as properly.
Second base
- Present depth chart: Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton, Tyler Sogard, Tristan Grey
- Potential free-agent targets: Bo Bichette
This is the place issues get sophisticated.
If Alex Bregman re-signs in Boston after opting out of his contract, Mayer doubtless can be the beginning second baseman, with Bregman taking part in third and Trevor Story at shortstop. If Bregman indicators elsewhere, Mayer doubtless would slide to 3rd, the place he performed 39 video games final season.
Campbell was Boston’s opening day starter in 2025 however was within the minors by June. If the Pink Sox consider he is prepared for the large leagues, he may get first crack at second base within the Mayer-at-third-base situation. If not, maybe they’d look to free company; Audacy’s Rob Bradford reports the Pink Sox have curiosity in Bo Bichette, who’s primarily a shortstop however performed second base in the course of the World Sequence.
Ceddanne Rafaela additionally had a short stint at second base final season however simply received a Gold Glove in heart subject, so the Pink Sox can be clever to maintain him there.
Shortstop
- Present depth chart: Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Tristan Grey
- Potential free-agent targets: Bo Bichette
Story opting in to stay in Boston solves at the very least one piece of the infield puzzle. But when Bregman indicators elsewhere and the Pink Sox wish to get artistic, they might signal Bichette to play shortstop, transfer Story to second base and begin Mayer at third base.
Even when Bregman returns, Boston may gain advantage from having an additional starting-caliber infielder within the combine, because the group was very skinny at first base final season following Casas’ damage.
Third base
- Present depth chart: Marcelo Mayer, Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, Tristan Grey
- Potential free-agent targets: Alex Bregman, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto
As acknowledged above, this comes down as to if Bregman re-signs with Boston or seeks greener pastures. The latter situation may encourage the Pink Sox to pursue both Murakami or Okamoto to bolster the nook of the infield. However Mayer figures to be the incumbent — assuming he can keep wholesome.
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