Vaughn Grissom arrived at Red Sox camp with everything to prove. He was the guy they traded Chris Sale for—the young infielder with a strong hit tool and plenty of potential. If he performed, second base was his for the taking. But spring training has come and gone, and Grissom never truly took control. The result? He’s on the outside looking in, and his time in Boston may be running out before it ever really began.

The Red Sox didn’t acquire Grissom just to stash him on the bench or in Triple-A. But that’s exactly where he could end up. After missing the start of 2024 due to injury, he struggled upon returning and never found a consistent role. When he was demoted to Worcester, his bat improved, but not enough to force the issue at the major league level. And now? With Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez, and other infield options pushing ahead, Grissom’s path to playing time is getting narrower by the day.

“He’s at a dead end,” Sean McAdam bluntly stated in a recent Fenway Rundown: Boston Red Sox podcast. “He had his chance last year, came into spring with an opportunity, but he didn’t seize it. At this point, it’s hard to see him having much of a future in this organization.” For a player once seen as a future starter, that’s a harsh reality check—but an honest one.

The problem for Grissom isn’t just his own struggles—it’s that Boston has other, better choices. Rafaela stands out defensively and can handle positions well. Valdez, on the other hand, displays promising offensive potential, and up-and-coming talents such as Nick Yorke and Marcelo Mayer are edging closer to the big leagues. The situation with Grissom is a bit tricky—he’s not quite making a case for a starting role but is too talented and young to be overlooked altogether.

If Grissom stays in Boston, his future looks murky at best. With Opening Day rosters taking shape, Grissom’s window to prove himself is shrinking fast. If he doesn’t find a way to change the narrative soon, the Red Sox may decide to move on before he ever truly gets his shot.

What’s next? Could a trade be the answer for the Red Sox?

At this point, Vaughn Grissom’s best chance at regular playing time might not be in Boston at all. The Red Sox acquired him with the idea that he could be a long-term solution at second base, but if they no longer see him in that role, moving him while he still holds value could be the logical next step. Teams in need of young infield depth, especially those willing to take a chance on his bat-to-ball skills, could see Grissom as a worthwhile project. A fresh start in a less crowded infield might be exactly what he needs to unlock his potential.

Of course, the Red Sox won’t just give him away. Their primary requirement is still pitching options; a team with additional arms could find Grissom appealing for a potential trade scenario. Perhaps a team, like the Marlins seeking enhanced offensive capabilities, or the Rockies in need of infield talent can manage negotiations. In Boston, he’s just stuck behind better options.

At last, if he’s in the right situation, Grissom could go from being an afterthought to an everyday player—just not in a Red Sox uniform.