Why Third Base Deserves Attention During Red Sox Home Opener

Having Nolan Arenado or Alex Bregman playing third base for the Boston Red Sox reached a feeling of inevitability during an eventful offseason.

The Red Sox made the decisive move to sign Bregman to a three-year deal for $120 million in the early days of camp in February. That ended the pursuit of a potential trade for Arenado, who had listed Boston on a list of limited preferred destinations had he moved on from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now, both players will take the field at third base when the Red Sox host the Cardinals for the home opener Friday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Both former All-Star third baseman are already having their presences felt to start the season for their respective clubs. Bregman smacked his first home run for the Red Sox in Thursday’s series-clinching win over the Baltimore Orioles. Meanwhile, Arenado homered on Opening Day for the Cardinals and maintains quality defense at the hot corner.

Boston moved Rafael Devers to designated hitter with the hopes of improved infield defense and lineup balance with an established right-handed bat. Arenado and Bregman each offered worthy candidacies, but the Red Sox decision to bring in the latter should be one that pays dividends for Boston.

The Red Sox and Cardinals start a three-game series, which concludes with the series finale on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast, with a 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch Friday afternoon at Fenway.