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Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox sits in the dugout.

It was a slow-moving offseason for the Boston Red Sox and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. The Winter Meetings came and went with nothing really done, with their rumored target, Pete Alonso, signing with the Baltimore Orioles. As if that didn’t sting enough, then came Alex Bregman’s decision.

After just one season in Boston, the third baseman opted for free agency. The door was always open to a return, and most thought that’s what was going to happen. However, in January, Bregman decided the Red Sox offer wasn’t good enough and signed with the Chicago Cubs. That left a huge hole in their lineup and at third base.

Now left scrambling, it appears that with spring training kicking off this week, the job to begin the season is going to be Marcelo Mayer’s to lose. In fact, he could be one of the keys to the Red Sox competing for an American League East Division title.

MLB Writer Tabs Marcelo Mayer Key to Boston Red Sox 2026 Season

Andrew Simon of MLB.com listed four ways that Boston can beat their projection for the 2026 campaign vie for an AL East title. One of the ways was Mayer breaking out. While that is very possible, it doesn’t come without some concerns.

“Even early this offseason, Mayer looked like a key to Boston’s 2026 season. But his importance has only increased as the offseason has gone on, with Bregman departing in free agency and Craig Breslow’s front office thus far being unable to land another impact player to handle second or third base,” Simon wrote.

The thing is, after Bregman signed with the Cubs, what was Breslow’s pivot move? Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez. Breslow has not addressed third base, even via a trade. Signs are pointing to Mayer and newly signed veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa as the answers.

“The Red Sox did sign the slick-fielding Isiah Kiner-Falefa to bolster the infield depth, but the way things look, Mayer is going to be counted on heavily to produce at one or both of those two positions. Mayer’s offensive performance as a 22-year-old rookie in 2025 — .228/.272/.402 in 44 games — didn’t give the projection systems a whole lot to get excited about. But there’s also a reason Mayer was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft and a very well-regarded prospect who put up an .826 OPS in the Minors,” Simon added.

Red Sox Need a Healthy 2026 Season From Marcelo Mayer

There is no doubt that Mayer has the talent to solidify either third base or second base for the Red Sox in 2026. The biggest question surrounding him is his health. As Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe pointed out, Mayer has played four full professional seasons and has yet to play more than 91 games.

“With some big league experience under his belt and better health (Mayer also sustained a season-ending right wrist injury in 2025), the 23-year-old could take a significant step forward in ‘26 and provide the Sox with some much-needed infield stability,” Simon wrote.

There is still a possibility of a trade coming for Breslow and the Red Sox ahead of spring training. There have been rumors of Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros being linked to Boston. Whatever happens, if Mayer breaks out in 2026, he’ll have to stay healthy, something that is easier said than done.

Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche