Alex Bregman Signing Provides 2025 Red Sox With Much Needed Insurance
Image credit: Alex Bregman (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
It’s easy and understandable to focus on a team’s projected starting Opening Day lineup when trying to project which teams will stand out in 2025.
But when looking at the Red Sox roster right now, the addition of Alex Bregman stands out for what it could mean for the team’s resilience if (or when) injuries strike.
After signing Bregman to a three year, $120 million deal, the Red Sox have added a level of lineup resilience that should serve them very well in 2025. It also provides an explanation for why they should be significantly better than last year’s 81-81 team.
Last year when Tristan Casas was lost to injury, Dominic Smith provided almost 300 plate appearances of replacement level production (.237/.317/.390) at first base. With Trevor Story sidelined for much of the year, Emmanuel Valdez got 223 plate appearances in the middle infield, hitting .214/.270/.363 to create a hole in the lineup.
The Red Sox also saw Vaughn Grissom (.190/.246/.219) get 114 plate appearances. Garrett Cooper hit .171/.227/.229 in 75 PAs as a DH/first baseman, and Bobby Dalbec hit an even worse .133/.217/.193 in 93 plate appearances.
Throw in some at-bats for Pablo Reyes (.183/.234/.217) and Mickey Gasper (.000/.217/.000) and Jamie Westbrook (.150/.234/.350), and the Red Sox had more than 800 plate appearances that went to players who were producing at or below replacement level.
Every team has to endure injuries, but last year’s Red Sox struggled to fill those spots. What stands out about this year’s Red Sox team is how they appear to have multiple backup options at almost every position.
Catcher, where Connor Wong is the starter, may be the lone exception. Carlos Narvaez is the expected backup, and there isn’t all that much behind him now that Kyle Teel has been traded to the White Sox.
But at first base, the Red Sox now have Casas with the possibility of sliding Rafael Devers over to first if Casas misses significant time.
At second base, Bregman is the likely Opening Day starter, meaning 2024 Minor League Player of the Year Kristian Campbell is most likely headed back to Triple-A. Shortstop/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela is capable of playing second as well, as is speedy sub David Hamilton.
The depth chart at shortstop looks much better than before. Story is healthy again and should be the starter. Rafaela capably played there in 2024. And Marcelo Mayer, the team’s No. 3 prospect and a top 15 prospect in the game, will be at Triple-A and could be ready by mid-season. Hamilton is also solid there in a backup role.
At third base, Devers is expected to start, although Bregman is a better defender. If something happens to Devers, or if Devers is moved to DH or first base at some point, Bregman is a very capable third baseman. But Campbell is also playable there, and Mayer is likely to get some time there in Triple-A as well, where he could end up being an above-average defender.
The situation is equally flush in the outfield. If everyone is healthy, Wilyer Abreu should provide Gold Glove defense in right field, with Rafaela in center and Jarren Duran in left. But Duran is also capable of playing center field if Rafaela is needed in the infield. Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida can play left as well, and while he seems like he may be headed toward planned obsolescence in the Red Sox long-term plans, he did hit .280./.349/.415 last year.
And don’t forget about Roman Anthony, the No. 2 prospect in baseball, who is ticketed to return to Triple-A to start the season. He can play all three outfield spots and should be big league ready at some point in 2025. Campbell also can play in all three outfield spots.
The Red Sox have three of the best hitting prospects in baseball. All should begin the year in Triple-A. After signing Bregman, the Red Sox don’t need to promote any of them to start the season on the big league roster.
That could become a good “problem” at some point in 2025 if everyone stays healthy. But it’s safe to assume that injuries will hit at some point. If and when they do, this Boston lineup is set up to handle them better than almost anyone.
