Red Sox Inform Caleb Durbin Where He Will Play originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox acquired Caleb Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, but they were unsure if he would play second base or third base for them.
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Durbin was the Brewers’ starting third baseman last season, and has spent time at both spots this spring. However, according to The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey, the Red Sox have informed Durbin where he will play.
“I’m going to stick at third from now on,” Durbin said, per Healey on Wednesday. “Up until that, I guess it was pretty much just looking at the (bulletin) board and wherever I was (listed) that day — and I was mostly at third, obviously. But (Tuesday), (Cora) said I’m going to stay put at third for now.”
Durbin will officially serve as Alex Bregman’s replacement. He spent most of his time at third base last season, after spending most of his time at second base in the minor leagues.
He posted a plus-two outs above average at third base in the big leagues, so he is more than capable of manning the hot corner at Fenway Park next season. Bregman had a plus-three outs above average at third base last season.
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Durbin’s swing figures translate well to Fenway Park. He could end up being a doubles machine. He pulls the ball in the air plenty, and could be banging balls off the Green Monster all season.
With Durbin at third base, second base remains open. Marcelo Mayer seems like he will win the job, even though Alex Cora remains adament he needs to earn it. Andruw Monasterio is also a candidate to play there after a strong spring.
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