How ESPN Graded Red Sox’s ‘Interesting’ Caleb Durbin Trade
'The trade makes the Red Sox better'
The Boston Red Sox rounded out their lineup on Monday, acquiring Caleb Durbin in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Boston received Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, in addition to a compensatory draft pick, in exchange for infielder David Hamilton and left-handed pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan. While not an earth-shattering move, the Red Sox drew a strong grade from an ESPN analyst.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield gave the Red Sox an “A-“ for an “interesting deal.” He noted the cost-effective benefit of adding Durbin before the 25-year-old’s second MLB season.
“The Red Sox might not exactly have replaced (Alex) Bregman’s value, as Durbin’s projected WAR is about one win less than Bregman’s, but they’re getting Durbin for $30 million less in salary and five seasons of team control,” Schoenfield wrote. “In modern baseball accounting, that’s math that a front office — and the owner — loves.”
Schoenfield opined that Durbin has a “higher floor” than Marcelo Mayer and is a better fit for Boston’s lineup as a right-handed hitter. He also warned fans not to dismiss Boston’s other acquisitions.
“Monasterio is a useful utility infielder and another right-handed bat who has hit .255/.352/.375 against left-handers in his career, giving Alex Cora another right-handed option off the bench,” Schoenfield wrote. “Don’t overlook Seigler, a rare catcher/infielder hybrid who posted a .414 OBP and .892 OPS in Triple-A.”
Durbin isn’t the splashiest player, but he notched a 2.6 fWAR as a rookie with a .334 on-base percentage and plus-five defensive runs saved (DRS) at third base. He could also play second base if the Red Sox prefer to keep Mayer at the hot corner.
Schoenfield likes the move because the Red Sox utilized their pitching depth to land an infield upgrade.
“I’m giving this a high grade, not so much because I expect Durbin to be making the All-Star team or anything, but because the trade makes the Red Sox better, improves their lineup balance and depth, and they didn’t give up anyone who was expected to be a key contributor for 2026,” Schoenfield said. “Harrison and Drohan were way down the depth chart as options for the rotation. Oh — and the Red Sox still have all four of their outfielders, which is the good kind of problem to have.”
