LAS VEGAS — There’s been a lot of talk here at the GM Meetings about the Red Sox adding a No. 2 starter and at least one power hitter. There also has been much discussion about whether they will re-sign Alex Bregman.

Starting pitching, power hitting and third base are the three areas of the roster that are most important to address this offseason.

First base also has been a discussion. The Red Sox haven’t committed to Triston Casas after he spent significant time on the injured list the past two seasons. They aren’t even willing to say definitively whether he will be ready for the start of spring training after he suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury May 2 that required surgery.

There’s another area on the roster that must be addressed but hasn’t received as much attention. That’s second base.

Boston ranked 17th in OPS (.670) from the second base position in 2025 while starting six different players there. Boston also had minus-nine defensive runs saved at second, tying them for 22nd in the majors in DRS at the position.

Marcelo Mayer is an obvious option. But he might have to play third base if the Red Sox fail to re-sign Bregman or don’t add an adequate replacement.

Is Mayer ready to start every day at third base or second base anyway?

Can the Red Sox rely on him to stay healthy for a full 162 games? Mayer has never played more than 91 games in any of his four full professional seasons.

Manager Alex Cora also typically has avoided batting Mayer, a left-handed hitter, against lefty starters and relievers. The Red Sox faced left-handed starters in 28% of games in 2025. Can Mayer hold his own when going up against them?

“I think he can play every day,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said here at the GM Meetings. “I certainly wouldn’t want to set limits on what he’s capable of doing. He hasn’t and that’s something we of course need to be mindful of.”

The Red Sox have issued a challenge to Mayer this offseason to build strength so he can withstand a 162-game season. He’s a sure-handed defender and would take care of the defensive issues at second base.

“The most important thing for him is to get healthy, to spend this offseason getting bigger and stronger in a way that maybe he hadn’t been able to in years past because of these injuries that have been stubborn and stuck around,” Breslow said. “He’s already off to a great start. We had some guys that were able to see him a week or so ago. He’s committed to the work in the weight room and so we’re really optimistic about what he’s going to do.”

Romy Gonzalez was one of the league’s top hitters against left-handed pitching in 2025. He went 43-for-130 (.331) with a .600 slugging percentage against them. He could always platoon with Mayer.

How this offseason unfolds (whether Bregman is re-signed, etc.) will dictate Mayer’s position. The Red Sox of course could go outside the organization to fill second base and play Mayer at third.

Kristian Campbell began the 2025 season as Boston’s everyday second baseman. He was the worst defensive second baseman in the league though, posting minus-16 defensive runs saved in 471 ⅔ innings. There is a thought that his long-term future is as an outfielder. The Red Sox want certainty and stability with his position.

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