The Boston Red Sox secured an agreement with Alex Bregman, a star third baseman previously with the Houston Astros, instantly enhancing their lineup. With Bregman joining forces with Trevor Story, Triston Casas, and Rafael Devers, the Red Sox now boast a formidable lineup. Jarren Duran, the All-Star Game MVP, leads the order, while the rotation strengthens with Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet.

This acquisition significantly impacts Vaughn Grissom's prospects, who was eyeing the second base role. Grissom, who arrived at camp with added muscle, may need to return to the minors until he finds a place in a crowded infield. After a promising debut in Atlanta, his experience in Boston has been less fruitful, underlining the competitive nature of the Red Sox's roster as they prepare for the new season.

Major League Baseball history is filled with trades that haunt teams for years, and several deals from the past six years stand out as particularly regrettable. Notable trades between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, resulted in teams losing players who could still be under their control in 2025. Not included are trades that involved players who had already become free agents or were on the verge of free agency.

The Chicago Cubs’ decision to send Dylan Cease and Eloy Jiménez to the Chicago White Sox for Jose Quintana exemplifies a painful trade. While Quintana was expected to be a top pitcher, he failed to deliver, while Cease has developed into a Cy Young contender.

Another disastrous trade involved the St. Louis Cardinals dealing Sandy Alcántara and Zac Gallen to the Miami Marlins for Marcell Ozuna. Alcántara has become an elite pitcher, making this trade particularly stinging for the Cardinals, especially in light of their recent struggles.

Boston Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom is emerging as the frontrunner to secure the starting second base position for the 2025 season, according to a report by Sean McAdam from Mass Live. Grissom, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a significant trade last offseason, had a challenging inaugural year in Boston. He struggled with injuries and illness, limiting his appearances to just 31 games in the majors, where he posted a disappointing .190 batting average with no home runs and only six RBIs.

The Red Sox's investment in Grissom is considerable, especially given that they traded away future National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale to acquire him. However, the team is not without alternatives if Grissom does not perform up to expectations. David Hamilton showed promise during extended play last season, and top prospect Kristian Campbell is also poised to compete for the position.

There is speculation that the Red Sox could pursue Alex Bregman in free agency, which could further complicate Grissom's path to the starting role. Although Bregman is primarily known as a third baseman, there is potential for him to transition to second base should he join the team. The Red Sox finished the previous season with a record of 81-81, placing third in the American League East, and have not reached the playoffs since their 2021 ALCS appearance.