The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason knowing they would look very different on the left side of the infield. By the time Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs and Bo Bichette followed him off the board by choosing the New York Mets, the reality became unavoidable: Boston would have to look inward for answers at third base.
That reality now centers on Marcelo Mayer, even if the organization still appears hesitant to declare the position permanently his.
Mayer Says He’s Healthy—and Ready
Mayer, the Red Sox’s former first-round pick and one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball over the past several years, is coming off a frustrating and shortened 2025 season. A wrist injury ended his year in July, cutting short what had been an uneven but quietly instructive debut campaign in the majors. As spring training approaches, however, Mayer says the health concerns that clouded his rookie season are no longer an issue.
“I feel good,” Mayer told The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham earlier this week. “I’m pretty much doing full baseball activities like a normal ramp-up. I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
That update alone matters for a Red Sox team still searching for clarity on the infield corners. With Bregman gone and no marquee replacement added, Mayer is penciled in—at least for now—as Boston’s Opening Day third baseman. But penciled in does not mean inked.
Mayer played third base in 29 games last season, most of them while Bregman was sidelined, and graded out well defensively. He posted plus-two outs above average at the position, reinforcing the idea that third base is a viable long-term home if the bat develops. Offensively, the results were far less convincing. In 44 total games, Mayer finished with a .674 OPS and showed little power, hitting four home runs.
Why Third Base Still Feels Temporary in Boston
The Red Sox, to their credit, are not ignoring that gap. According to Abraham, Mayer added roughly 10 pounds this offseason at the team’s request, an effort aimed at unlocking more consistent extra-base damage without compromising his defensive value.
“My goal right now is just to get to spring training in the best shape I can and go out there and perform,” Mayer said. “You’re in the big leagues now. For me, the real work starts now.”
There were at least some encouraging signs before the injury. Over his final 15 games of the season, Mayer slashed .262/.295/.357, a marked improvement from the .212 average he posted across his first 29 games. The power still lagged, but the contact quality and timing looked closer to what evaluators expected when he entered pro ball as one of the sport’s most polished hitters.
Still, the Red Sox appear reluctant to treat third base as fully settled. Boston explored several infield options after losing Bregman. The team pursued Bichette earlier in the winter. Trade speculation followed. League chatter still suggests the front office prefers flexibility over committing fully to Mayer at third base.
That hesitation is understandable. Injuries have followed Mayer since 2021. He has yet to play more than 91 games in a season at any level. That uncertainty creates risk for a Red Sox team trying to stay competitive.
For now, Mayer represents both opportunity and uncertainty. He is healthy, stronger, and positioned for everyday at-bats. But until he proves he can stay on the field and drive the ball with authority, the Red Sox seem unwilling to close the door on alternative plans.
Spring training may not determine Mayer’s future outright—but it will go a long way toward deciding whether third base finally becomes his for good.
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