Boston Red Sox: Caleb Durbin’s Impact and Position Unveiled
The Boston Red Sox have made a significant trade, acquiring third baseman and second baseman Caleb Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers. This six-player deal also includes utility players Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, along with a Compensation Round B draft pick. In exchange, the Red Sox sent pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, as well as utility infielder Dave Hamilton, to Milwaukee.
Caleb Durbin’s Profile and Impact
Caleb Durbin, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on February 22, brings a notable right-handed bat to the Red Sox lineup. Although he managed to hit 11 home runs, his slugging percentage was relatively low at .387 over 136 games in the 2025 season. This performance earned him a third-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
Defensive Versatility
Durbin stands at 5 feet 7 inches and weighs 183 pounds. His defensive statistics reflect his versatility in the infield. In 2025, he recorded five defensive runs saved in 1,060 ⅔ innings at third base, but only minus-1 defensive runs saved in 43 ⅓ innings at second base. Overall, his stats suggest he is more effective at third base, though his limited second base play complicates evaluation.
- Third Base Defense: 1,060 ⅔ innings, 5 defensive runs saved
- Second Base Defense: 43 ⅓ innings, minus-1 defensive runs saved
- Minor League Experience: 1,286 ⅔ innings at second, 628 innings at third, and other positions
Offensive Contributions
At the plate, Durbin showed nearly equal proficiency against both right-handed and left-handed pitching. In 373 plate appearances versus righties, he batted .255 with a .722 OPS. Against lefties, his average was slightly higher at .258, with an OPS of .717 across 133 plate appearances. According to Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, Durbin has the potential to be an everyday player at either infield spot.
Future Role and Lineup Considerations
The Red Sox are still determining where Durbin fits best within their roster. Breslow indicated that the decision regarding his position will be made closer to the start of training camp. Depending on his performance, there is a possibility that Durbin could take over a primary role at either third base or second base.
Given his skill set, if Durbin assumes a starting position at third base, the team might consider platooning left-handed hitter Marcelo Mayer with right-handed hitter Romy Gonzalez at second base. Breslow emphasized the importance of assessing Durbin’s fit as the roster takes shape and strategies are developed.
In conclusion, the acquisition of Caleb Durbin could address several of the Red Sox’s offensive and defensive needs as they prepare for the upcoming season. His versatility and potential to play multiple positions will be crucial as the team looks to improve its performance.
