The Boston Red Sox 2026 roster has begun to take shape now that the offseason has completed and Spring Training is underway. We’ve heard updates on outfield and pitching plans from Red Sox manager Alex Cora, but he’s remained relatively quiet on the logjam in the infield.
With Willson Contreras and Trevor Story virtually locked in at first base and shortstop, second base and third base remain contested between a handful of players.
Marcelo Mayer and newly acquired Caleb Durbin are the frontrunners at these positions, but with a deep pool of prospects and platoon players at both positions, neither spot has been locked up.
Mayer and Durbin both entered their professional careers as middle infielders, but were both forced into playing third base in their rookie seasons. Durbin played 131 of his 144 games last season at third for the Milwaukee Brewers, while Mayer played 39 of his 49 at third for the Sox.
So both will be competing for third base, though Durbin has the edge in experience. Behind them, Romy Gonzalez, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard will be competing to force the Red Sox hand at either position.
Mayer Opens Up on Expectations for 2026
Although Mayer made a sold first impression on the Sox in his 49 games with the big club last season, he realizes that he is very much in a competition with other players.
“Obviously this year, I’m coming in with Show experience,” Mayer said. “So it’s a little different, but I’m seeing it the same way. I feel like I still got to earn a job. I’m not Trevor Story. I don’t have a position stamp that I’m going to be playing Opening Day. For me, I feel like I still need to win a job, and I feel like [the team has] made that clear.”
Though the Red Sox have ensured Mayer that a starting role isn’t just going to be handed to him, there are plenty of expectations for him to take over at shortstop once Trevor Story’s contract is up after the 2027 season. Because of this, it may make more sense for Boston to have him focus on second base, which will translate better to shortstop when he inevitably moves there in the future.
Regardless of where he plays, Mayer is a sure-handed fielder; he made just two errors in his 49 games last season.
Mayer Added Weight Over the Offseason
The biggest knock on Mayer in his professional career has been his durability. He’s been injured a number of times in the minor leagues, and only lasted a couple of months in Boston before a hand injury cut his rookie season short in 2025.
According to “The Athletic’s” Jen McCaffrey, Mayer came into Spring Training at 220 pounds, the most he’s every weighed. His MLB.com profile has him listed at 188 pounds, listed from the start of the 2025 season just one year ago.
Mayer has focused on adding muscle this offseason to improve his durability. With 30 pounds gained, he should be on track to put himself in a better spot to last a full 162 for the Red Sox this season.
Red Sox Young Phenom Marcelo Mayer Opens Up On His Role This Season