Red Sox Trade for Caleb Durbin to Strengthen Third Base
In a strategic move to bolster their infield, the Boston Red Sox have traded for third baseman Caleb Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers. This six-player trade, announced on Monday, comes as Boston seeks to fill the vacancy at third base left by Alex Bregman, who signed a lucrative five-year deal worth $175 million with the Chicago Cubs.
Details of the Trade
In the deal, Milwaukee acquired left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, along with infielder David Hamilton. The Red Sox received Durbin and infielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, along with a competitive balance round B pick in the upcoming amateur draft, which is expected to be around 67th overall.
Caleb Durbin’s Performance
- Age: 26 (turning 27 on February 22)
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Statistics:
- Batted .256
- .334 on-base percentage
- 11 home runs
- 18 stolen bases
- Games Played: 136
- Achievements: Helped the Brewers win three consecutive NL Central titles and reach the NL Championship Series last season.
Durbin was previously acquired by Milwaukee from the New York Yankees in exchange for closer Devin Williams. His performance last year earned him a spot as a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
Impact on the Brewers
Durbin’s departure leaves a significant gap at third base for the Brewers, who will now look to fill that role after shifting Joey Ortiz, their former starting third baseman, to shortstop. David Hamilton, who primarily plays second base and shortstop, could be a potential candidate for third base duties as well.
Boston’s New Infield Strategy
The Red Sox, having lost Bregman, are looking to create a versatile infield. Alongside Durbin, they recently acquired Willson Contreras to handle first base duties. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow commented on Durbin’s potential role: “We’re excited about getting a really good player into the organization, and we’ll figure out where he fits best.”
Other Players Involved
As part of the trade, the Red Sox also received Andruw Monasterio, a 28-year-old infielder who brings experience across all infield positions. Last season, he batted .270 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 68 games. Anthony Seigler, a 26-year-old infielder, had a .194 batting average in 34 games.
The Brewers received Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, with Drohan having a solid season in the minors, boasting a 3.17 ERA and striking out 77 over 54 innings.
This trade marks a significant shift in the rosters of both teams, revealing Boston’s intent to strengthen their infield and Milwaukee’s strategy of reshuffling their player lineup.
