masslive
When Boston acquired Curtis Mead, the club envisioned him as the everyday second baseman for the rest of the season. That vision evaporated after just two plate appearances when Mead suffered a fractured wrist. With Marcelo Mayer now with the Giants, Isiah Kiner-Falefa still on the injured list, and Romy Gonzalez optioned to Worcester, the Red Sox are left with Anthony Seigler and Nick Sogard as their second base candidates.
During the team's 15-game winning streak, Seigler was the preferred choice while Sogard toiled in Triple-A. However, Seigler's bat has cooled recently, and Sogard, recalled from Worcester, has seized the opportunity. Neither player has cemented the role, so interim manager Chad Tracy makes the call on a game-by-game basis.
Key Analysis
Tracy acknowledges the difficulty of choosing between two similar players. Both are switch-hitters who put the ball in play and control the strike zone well. The decision often comes down to recent performance—Sogard is 5-for-19 since his recall—and gut feeling. 'You like what you're seeing and you kind of ride it for a little bit,' Tracy said, noting that the choice could change daily.
Defensively, there's little separation, though Sogard offers more versatility across the infield. Tracy mentioned that Sogard could shift to shortstop if needed, allowing Seigler to play second. The manager emphasized staying fluid and considering matchups to keep both players involved. 'You play your gut in terms of what you think is best right now,' he added.
Originally reported by masslive.