Nearly a decade after Dustin Pedroia’s career ended prematurely, the Boston Red Sox have remained at a loss to fill the keystone position. Eduardo Nunez’s own knees when kaput shortly after joining the team, Christian Arroyo could never stay healthy, Trevor Story was only waiting to take over at shortstop, and Kristian Campbell’s glove displayed the attributes of an average first baseman at best.
In the past two seasons alone, 13 players have appeared at second: Nick Sogard, Marcelo Mayer, Ceddanne Rafaela, Romy Gonzalez, Campbell and David Hamilton in 2025, and Zack Short, Connor Wong, Mickey Gasper, Pablo Reyes, Rafaela, Sogard, Jamie Westbrook, Vaughn Grissom, Gonzalez, Hamilton, and Emmanuel Valdez in 2024. In short, the Red Sox learned that having too many second basemen is to lack one altogether.
Going into 2026 with a team nearly ready to make a serious run at the World Series, the question remains as open-ended as it was in 2019. There is no incumbent, nor, with the diminishment of Campbell, any prospect that may take over regular responsibility. This leaves two avenues of approach: to reconstruct the infield using players already in the organization, or to acquire a proven second baseman this winter.
Option A: Reconstruction
In 2022, Trevor Story admirably filled in at second while awaiting the departure of Xander Bogaerts; his role as presumptive shortstop was intended to paper over the gap to Boston’s next long-term answer at the position, fourth overall selection in the 2021 draft, Marcelo Mayer. Now in 2026, Mayer has reached the major leagues and acquitted himself admirably with the glove, but has endured struggles with his bat. Therefore, the long-anticipated passing of the torch may conclude, with Story and his deteriorating range positioned back to second base.
This is the most likely outcome, though not the sole option. The impending potential departure of third baseman Alex Bregman may allow Boston to grant Mayer an extended major league apprenticeship, leaving him at third while he works at becoming the hitter all desire him to be. If so, the Red Sox could then retain Story at short while moving Rafaela to second, which in turn would ease the difficulties of possessing five outfielders.
Finally, though this seems the least plausible solution, manager Alex Cora could commit to a regular platoon at the keystone position, perhaps a Sogard/Gonzalez allotment based on pitching matchups. More arcanely, David Hamilton’s glove work may alternate with Gonzalez’s known penchant for smashing southpaws; a defense/offense split is not unprecedented, such as former Angels manager Mike Scioscia’s backstop pairing of Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli in the late 2000s.
Option B: The Torres Solution
Then again, the Red Sox have filtered through internal options for nearly a decade now. A known quantity would not only provide certainty but likely outperform riding the hot hand monthly, as they have been forced to do.
Unfortunately, only one such player will enter the free agent market this offseason, former Yankee Gleyber Torres. Torres has been a solid if unspectacular second baseman since entering the league in 2018, making three All-Star teams in seven seasons while mixing above-average offense with below-average defense. Over the past four seasons, he has slashed .261/.337/.417, good for a 110 OPS+.
The concern with Torres, beyond his exclusive status, is whether that solid offense can continue to uphold the poor defense as he enters his age-29 season and beyond. After taking a one-year deal with Detroit last winter, the All-Star is unlikely to accept another brief contract; an offer of less than four years will be dismissed out of hand.
On the other hand, Torres retains several attributes most attractive to the Red Sox: he has proven capable of thriving in intense markets, has right-handed power, and has become increasingly selective and refined at the plate. In the last three years, Torres has walked in 11 percent of his plate appearances, while striking out in only 17 percent. Both figures are multiple points better than league average. His durability is also a selling point, as Torres has played in at least 140 games five times, including each of the past four seasons.
The trade market offers no similar enticement. Jonathan India was Rookie of the Year in 2021 but has been replacement-level since. If the Rangers enter a rebuilding phase, the aging Marcus Semien is too expensive. The Braves will not trade Ozzie Albies when his value is at its lowest. The Cardinals will first wish to decide the fates of their older veterans before sending Brendan Donovan to auction.
Conclusions:
The Red Sox will almost certainly make a run at Gleyber Torres this winter, whether or not Alex Bregman is retained. If they fail in the pursuit, expect another season of everyone and no one filling the jockstrap of Dustin Pedroia.