Boston Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow continues to make inexplicable personnel decisions. Losing makes rational people change perspective while upsetting the team balance.
However, the good organizations find creative ways to navigate the storm and power through the nonsense. MLB teams call up and send players to the minors on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, Boston, over the last week, decided to give their offense a dramatic makeover with two major moves. Will they pan out, or is the team looking to reshuffle and rebuild on the fly?
Red Sox Demotion of 2B Kristian Campbell Highlights Chaotic Week
When Boston shipped Rafael Devers to San Francisco, it appeared to highlight issues within the organization. For weeks, he did not want to take grounders at first, especially since the team moved him off third base in favor of Alex Bregman. Apparently, he seems more than happy to pick up the mitt and head to first.
Now, in the wake of that decision, the team decided to send second baseman Kristian Campbell to Triple-A Worcester. Jeff Passan from ESPN detailed the head-scratching move.
The Boston Red Sox are sending infielder Kristian Campbell to Triple-A, sources tell ESPN. Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $60 million contract this spring, was hitting .301/.407/.495 at the end of April but is .159/.243/.222 since. He’ll get a chance to reset in Worcester.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 19, 2025
“The Boston Red Sox are sending infielder Kristian Campbell to Triple-A, sources tell ESPN. Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $60 million contract this spring, was hitting .301/.407/.495 at the end of April but is .159/.243/.222 since. He’ll get a chance to reset in Worcester.”
As mentioned, teams often demote players. However, organizations do not ship 23-year-olds whom they invested eight years and $60 million in to the minors. Campbell slashed .229/.318/.345 in 67 games in Boston this year.
A versatile player with the ability to play three infield and all three outfield spots, Campbell started at second base, where he made seven errors and compiled a .968 fielding percentage. Vampbell looks better in the outfield, where he could use his speed and range to snare balls in center. So, who takes the blame?
Breslow calls the shots from an organizational standpoint. How do you demote a player that the team will be paying until 2034? Granted, Campbell has struggled mightily lately. Still, throwing him to Worcester doesn’t really help him, as he needs to face major league pitching.
When it comes to baseball, you get better at the game by playing it at the highest level. Meanwhile, manager Alex Cora handles the on-field work. Why not deploy Campbell in center or have him platoon until his bat returns?
First Devers, and now Campbell. The Red Sox apparently love to ship players off whom they’ve invested at least eight figures in, without reasoning. With prospects Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony, Campbell could be another centerpiece player as the ballclub looks to the future. Right now, despite a 39-37 record, the front office looks like a rudderless ship, just trying to make its way to shore.