Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora hasn't yet fully committed to Caleb Durbin as his every-day third baseman, but he's warming up to the idea as the offseason trade acquisition gets more reps there during spring training.
"We'll probably decide that next week, but I feel very comfortable with him at third base," Cora told reporters Tuesday at their spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Red Sox, who have a vacancy at the position after free agent Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs, acquired the right-handed-hitting Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers in a six-player trade just one day before camp opened in February.
Durbin, 25, finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting last year after winning Milwaukee's third-base job in the wake of a trade from the New York Yankees, who had sent him to the Brewers in the Devin Williams trade.
This spring, Durbin has shared time with Marcelo Mayer at both third base and second base, but Durbin has gotten the majority of starts at third of late.
"Sometimes we make a big deal out of spring training and positions," Cora told reporters Tuesday. "... I don't think because you take five ground balls at third base makes you a better third baseman. There's more than comes into play -- metrics, your first step, projections -- but I think, at the end of the day, it's who we feel more comfortable with and which position and also the player.
"I don't want Caleb to be moving from second to third during the season. I want him to play one position only and then just go do your thing at the plate."
Durbin, who hit .256 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs last season, was praised by Cora for his defensive play during Monday's spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
"I've seen a lot of third basemen with cannons at third base, but their footwork is not great," Cora said. "This kid has a great arm and great footwork."
