As spring training approaches for the Boston Red Sox, there's a palpable excitement in the air. This weekend, position players are set to report to Fort Myers, Florida, but manager Alex Cora has been relatively tight-lipped regarding his lineup strategy. Recently, he added infielder Caleb Durbin to the roster, and while he hasn’t divulged much yet, he has indicated that he expects first baseman Willson Contreras to occupy the cleanup spot in the batting order.
However, Cora did provide some intriguing insights about his potential lineup on Wednesday, offering a glimpse into what fans can expect when the Red Sox kick off the season against the Cincinnati Reds on March 26. He expressed that Trevor Story deserves a prominent position near the top of the order after rebounding strongly in the previous season. Additionally, Cora sees Durbin as a valuable asset to strengthen the middle of the lineup, potentially placing him in the sixth spot due to his ability to make contact with the ball. Furthermore, he noted Roman Anthony's potential to make an immediate impact as the leadoff hitter, raising curiosity about whether he will take on that role.
In 2025, Jarren Duran led off for the Red Sox in 106 games, but when Anthony stepped into that position against right-handed pitchers in August, he excelled, boasting a remarkable .336 batting average and an OPS of 1.003 over 27 games. As Cora contemplates his strategy for this season, it appears he is inclined to have Anthony lead off against righties, with Duran possibly batting lower, perhaps in the third spot. Both players are also likely to share responsibilities in left field and designated hitter positions. On the other hand, when facing left-handed pitchers, Cora might consider platoon players like Romy Gonzalez and Nate Eaton for the leadoff position, making it clear that Anthony remains a strong candidate.
Cora emphasized Anthony's versatility, saying, "He’s valuable anywhere. Putting pressure on the opposition from Pitch 1 matters, too. He was amazing for us leading off, which means he’ll get the most at-bats. He’s that type of hitter.
While he hasn’t confirmed that Anthony will exclusively lead off, Cora drew parallels to what George Springer accomplished for Houston in 2017, Mookie Betts’ performance in 2018, and Anthony's impressive showing last year.
Durbin seems poised to fill the second spot in the batting order, a position previously held by departed stars Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman, who were instrumental in securing starts last season. However, Cora hinted that Trevor Story, being a right-handed hitter, could be a preferred choice for this position as he discusses the top half of his lineup.
"Willson will be up there (fourth), Roman will be part of it, Jarren is included, and Trevor has earned a spot at the top of the lineup," Cora stated.
If Anthony does take the leadoff position, Duran may step into the third spot, alongside a few players with uncertain roles, such as Masataka Yoshida and Triston Casas, along with Wilyer Abreu. One of these players could potentially hit fifth behind Contreras, with Abreu having experience batting in various spots in the lineup last season.
This arrangement could allow Durbin to slot in at sixth in the revamped batting order. Cora highlighted Durbin's ability to contribute not just at the top but also to provide depth throughout the lineup, noting, "He can hit at the top of the lineup, but he can give you length in the lineup. He’s a good player and baserunner. Having him hit behind a lefty that follows Willson makes sense, but we’ll see how it plays out against lefties. We’ll move him around.
While Cora doesn’t foresee Durbin becoming a home run hitter anytime soon, he’s confident in Durbin’s capacity to drive in runs and get on base, indicating that he will be an important part of the team’s offensive strategy.
The lower end of the lineup is likely to feature a mix of infielders like Marcelo Mayer and Gonzalez, catchers Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong, and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who is expected to hit ninth once again. Utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa will also make appearances at the bottom of the lineup, along with newcomer Andruw Monasterio, who joined the camp alongside Durbin and Anthony Seigler.
Cora is keen to familiarize himself further with Durbin’s playing style before finalizing his decisions. It’s worth mentioning that the Red Sox experimented with a staggering 134 different lineup combinations last season, underscoring the fluid nature of team dynamics in baseball. "I don’t know yet," Cora admitted. "I’ve got to take a look at him."
