{"id":153721,"date":"2026-02-17T15:41:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=153721"},"modified":"2026-02-17T15:41:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:41:51","slug":"red-sox-manager-alex-cora-reveals-three-unexpected-first-base-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=153721","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Reveals Three Unexpected First Base Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) throws to first base after getting Tampa Bay Rays catcher Hunter Feduccia (30) out on a force at second base during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. \/ John E. Sokolowski \/ Imagn Images<\/div>\n

On the same day Isiah Kiner-Falefa took reps at first base during spring workouts, Red Sox manager Alex Cora made it clear: Kiner-Falefa, Connor Wong, and Nick Sogard are all in the mix as backup options at first base heading into the 2026 season. The starter?<\/p>\n

That job belongs to Willson Contreras. But behind him, the Sox are building a safety net-and it\u2019s a group defined more by versatility than experience.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with Kiner-Falefa. He\u2019s played just about everywhere on the diamond over the course of his career-shortstop, third base, second base, even some time behind the plate-but first base is new territory at the major league level.<\/p>\n

In fact, he hasn\u2019t logged a single big-league inning there. The only first base action on his resume dates back to 2016 in the minors, and that was a brief cameo.<\/p>\n

Still, the fact that he\u2019s getting work there now suggests the Red Sox see value in his adaptability, especially in a season where roster flexibility could be key.<\/p>\n

Sogard, meanwhile, does have some big-league experience at first, albeit in a limited role. He\u2019s spent parts of seasons with Boston and has slotted in at the position when needed. He\u2019s not a traditional first baseman by trade, but his familiarity with the spot gives the Red Sox a bit more confidence if they need to call his number.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Connor Wong. Known primarily as a catcher, Wong\u2019s athleticism has allowed him to dabble at first base in a pinch.<\/p>\n

His first career start at the position came in August 2024 against the Rangers, and while his total innings there remain modest-15 appearances, six starts-he\u2019s made them count. Wong has flashed some real defensive instincts at first, pulling off highlight-worthy plays like diving stops and leaping grabs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a small sample size, but it\u2019s shown the coaching staff that he can hold his own if pressed into service.<\/p>\n

What ties this trio together is their role: depth. None of them are being groomed as long-term solutions at first base, but they\u2019re insurance policies-capable, athletic, and willing to step in when needed.<\/p>\n

With Contreras locked in as the everyday guy, Boston\u2019s not looking for a platoon. But in a long season, where injuries and late-game substitutions are part of the grind, having a few Swiss Army knives on the roster isn\u2019t just a luxury-it\u2019s a necessity.<\/p>\n

So while Kiner-Falefa, Sogard, and Wong might not be the names you expect to see penciled in at first base regularly, their presence gives the Red Sox some peace of mind. And in a league where roster depth can make or break a season, that kind of flexibility is worth its weight in gold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IMAGE: Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) throws to first base after getting Tampa Bay Rays catcher Hunter Feduccia (30) out on a force at… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nRed Sox Manager Alex Cora Reveals Three Unexpected First Base Options - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=153721\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Reveals Three Unexpected First Base Options - 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