Alex Bregman is probably wondering what he just walked into. The Astros established a winning environment on adaptability and players moved around the field without hesitation. José Altuve shifted positions; Yordan Álvarez accepted a DH role; whatever was needed to win, the Astros did it. And then there is the Boston Red Sox. Instead of flexibility, the team is at a standoff in the Bregman/ Rafael Devers debate. But Red Sox slugger Triston Casas is making clear where he thinks each should go.

That is quite the contrast. One team focusing on winning. The other? Well, this team is already debating who gets to stand where before the season begins. But Casas made it clear, there is no debate in his mind. “I think it is Raffy’s Devers’ position. I think he is the third baseman and at that point, that is where it stands.“

“He does not know any other place. He does not want to play any other position. And he is going to fight for it, if it is with any of the younger guys, any new guy“.

Translation? Alex Bregman better get comfortable at second base.

The issue? Alex Bregman has invested his entire career as a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman. Bregman had a .972 fielding percentage at the place. In addition, Devers, despite his bat carrying a .272 AVG and .871 OPS with 28 home runs in 2024, has never been identified for his glove. Boston’s stance is not related to enhancing the best defensive alignment, it is related to keeping specific players satisfied.

This would not be a discussion in the Houston Astros, who moved Altuve when needed. And as analyst Will Kunkel points out, “Altuve moving to LF. Yordan moving to DH. Other guys saying they will play wherever Joe Espada asks.”

In addition, the Dodgers transformed Mookie Betts place all over the field. The Braves had Austin Riley play left field early in Riley’s career. However, Boston? The team would rather force an unnatural fit compared to adopting what actually makes sense. If winning is the focus, would not logic dictate that the best defenders play their best positions?

Alex Bregman’s forced management, an awkward fit?

So, Alex Bregman at second base. That is the plan. Casas seems confident in the transformation, “I think Alex Bregman needs to play second base, yeah. I think he is going to make the transition well. I think he is athletic enough, too“. However, we need to look at the numbers.

Alex Bregman has played just 28 innings at second base in his MLB career. Compare that to Bregman’s 9,300 innings at third, in which he has continuously posted a DRS in the positives. Position transformation are not impossible- Marcus Semien made a smooth shift from shortstop to second. However, it is rarely seamless, specifically for a talent entering a contract year. The Red Sox are gambling on the idea that Alex Bregman’s athleticism will effectively erase the learning curve. That is a risky bet.

Bregman is stepping onto a team where Devers has already laid claim to third and is not ready to budge. If this situation were reversed, if Alex Bregman was insisting on staying at 3rd while Devers had to move, how would that be received? This is not related to questioning Devers and Bregman’s capabilities.

However, it does highlight a basic distinctiveness between the Astros and Red Sox. In Astros, talents moved around for the greater good. In Boston, it is a hierarchy, some players adapt, while others dictate where they play. If that does not transform, Alex Bregman could identify himself longing for the days when winning came before personal preference.

The Red Sox have talent. That is not the issue. The issue is how the team is choosing to utilize it. If Devers refuses to move and Bregman struggles at second, the team’s infield could be a defensive mess. Houston established a championship environment by embracing sacrifice.

On the contrary, Boston is more interested in ensuring egos stay intact. Bregman came from a team which put winning first. Now, he is on a team in which position battles are decided before spring training begins. If that thought process does not transform, do not be surprised if Boston’s biggest issue this season is not their roster, it is their priorities.