In another dramatic turn of events, the Sox have a new addition to the team. A third baseman, Alex Bregman, to solidify their infield defense. But this addition isn’t just about multiplying Boston’s success. It has bigger consequences for the rest of the team, and, you guessed it right—Vaughn Grissom, the second baseman, is the first to take the hit, quite literally. Grissom was brought in for his offensive potential,  but an injury-delayed debut led to a not-so-impressive season. An MLB analyst broke down the impact of the new addition, suggesting the “Second Base of the Future” might not have much of a future with the Red Sox. 

On Wednesday, Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston’s Red Sox. With this move, Bregman has a team before the spring training commences. The third baseman is finally off the free agent board, ending all the discussions—alas! Now joining the club down at Fort Myers, Bregman has ended his tenure with the Astros. 

The Red Sox Nation has been eagerly waiting for the team to return to their top form. Especially after the Juan Soto setback, this trade might just be the boost they need this season. To balance the Sox’s left-heavy lineup, Bregman, a right-hander, might be just what the team needs. 

But this move has its ripple effect, and it’s shaking up the team’s roster, especially the infield. On the Home of the Fenway Rundown podcast, hosted by MassLive.com reporters Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam broke down the acquisition news. According to Cotillo, this trade put David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom, two internal second-base candidates, in a difficult position. However, McAdam’s worries were focused on Grissom.

“Grissom is the big loser here,” McAdam said. “A year ago, he was seen as the second baseman of the future. They were ready to give him that job, but he came into spring training a little banged up, got hurt, and never fully recovered. And now it’s hard to see what future he has with this organization.”

Vaughn Grissom was traded from the Atlanta Braves on December 30, 2023, to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Chris Sale, the left-hander. The Sox also paid $17 million to cover Sale’s $27.5 million salary for the 2024 season. The Red Sox hoped to create a World Series-worth lineup with the off-season addition. But the squad immediately suffered a blow when Grissom strained his groin, missing all of the spring training. To make matters worse, an illness in April 2024 further delayed his debut. Hold on. It didn’t just end there. Soon after making his debut in May 2024, Grissom injured his right hamstring and ended up on the 10-day injured list and underperformed the whole season. 

Due to his saga of injuries, Grissom was able to play only 23 games in 2024. While the Sox brought him in to strengthen their defense, he struggled offensively, posting a .148 batting average (12-for-81) and a .367 OPS. Grissom responded to his performance in the 2024 season; he told Chris Cotillo from MassLive.com, “I just want to play my game and if they like it, they like it. If they don’t, (expletive) it.” Adding on, he said, “I’m here for a reason. I’m sure there’s a next guy up if they don’t like it. That’s the ever-revolving door of baseball. Just trying to play my game and help the team win.”

It is the second time that Boston has traded for a second baseman in spring. And let’s be real, the Sox’s swap of Chris Sale for Vaughn Grissom did not go as planned. Now, whether Bregman switches things up for the Sox or ends up like Grissom is all in the future. The twist? He had many bids over him, including the Houston Astros, where he has spent his entire career, but made his move to the Bay State, regardless of it all. 

Against all odds, Alex Bregman picks the Sox

Alex Bregman had many options. His former team, the Houston Astros, offered him $156 million for six years. To top that off, the Tigers were ready to give him $171.5 million for six years. And the Cubs tried their luck with $120 million for four years. 

But Bregman and his agent wanted to settle for a $200 million payday. Then Boston came in, getting Bregman for $120 million, shaking up their entire infield, and leaving the future of many in jeopardy. 

But is the veteran’s demand justified? He isn’t just a big-name signing. Bregman is a two-time World Series champ (2017, 2022) and has shown his track record of landing on base. The Red Sox have been out of their true potential for a while; they finished 81-81 last season. The Sox have tried to switch things with the Bucks, but it hasn’t quite worked out for them.

Other than Bregman, they are switching it up with Walker Buehler, Garrett Crochet, and Aroldis Chapman. This is in an attempt to return to glory in the AL East.

The Red Sox signed Bregman before finalizing other player positions. This will give him a full spring to build up his game with Trevor Story. Story, a right-handed bat struggling with injuries, could form the perfect duo with Bregman for the Sox’s success. While Bregman may restore the Sox’s reputation, he might just be the reason Grissom doesn’t have a future with Boston anymore.

Since the Red Sox signed Bregman before finalizing other player positions, he’ll get a full spring to build chemistry with Trevor Story. Story, who has also battled injuries, could benefit from Bregman’s stability in the lineup. If the duo works out, they might provide the stability the Sox have been missing in the infield. However, with Bregman in the mix, Grissom’s role in Boston becomes even more uncertain.