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Boston Red Sox Manager Keeps Caleb Durbin at Third Base
Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said he will keep infielder Caleb Durbin at third base despite a slow start at the plate. Tracy, who replaced Alex Cora earlier this season, cited Durbin's defensive performance. The team has a .500 record since the managerial change.
May 6, 7:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy announced he will retain Caleb Durbin as the team's third baseman. The decision comes after the team replaced long-time manager Alex Cora in an effort to improve its performance this season. 500 record in the period since the change.
Tracy said he likes the current alignment with Durbin at third base and Marcelo Mayer at second base. He pointed to strong defensive play from Durbin at the position. Tracy added that making such positional switches in the middle of a season is difficult at the major league level.
Durbin has struggled offensively since joining the Red Sox as a trade addition. 248. 387. The commitment to Durbin at third base comes despite earlier differences between Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
A league source said that Breslow and Cora disagreed during spring training about where to play Durbin and Mayer. Breslow had preferred Mayer at third base with Durbin at second. Tracy also moved pitcher Brayan Bellow to a relief role.
The manager indicated he is looking for ways to get more production from the roster. Defensively, Durbin has handled third base adequately.
However, his batting numbers represent a decline from the production previously provided by Alex Bregman. The team will need improved offensive output from the position if it is to make a push for the postseason.
