This story originally appeared in the Globe’s Sunday Baseball Notes. Read the rest here.
It didn’t rise to the level of calling him out, but Craig Breslow made it clear at the GM Meetings that the Red Sox expect more from Marcelo Mayer, saying the 22-year-old infielder needed to get “bigger and stronger” and show he can stay on the field.
Since 2021, his first full season in pro ball, Mayer has averaged 83 games and has yet to play more than 91.
Mayer is a talented player who is fundamentally sound and plays with an excellent internal clock. But success at the highest level also hinges on strength, speed, and stamina.
How he looks when the Sox report to spring training will tell the story.
Mayer has expressed an interest in playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. He might be better served by staying in Fort Myers and playing every day while conditioning under the supervision of the team staff.
If Mayer can stay on the field and play to his potential, there will be other opportunities to play in the WBC.
A few other observations on the Red Sox:
⋅ The Pirates and Royals are among the teams the Sox could match up well with for a trade.
The Pirates need lefthanded hitters to build a lineup better suited to PNC Park’s smaller right field. The Sox have plenty of those. The Royals need outfield help and the Sox have a surplus at that position, especially now that Kristian Campbell seems likely to be developed as an outfielder.
Pittsburgh and Kansas City have the pitching depth that could facilitate a trade.
⋅ It felt like the Sox had started to sour on Triston Casas in October when Breslow wouldn’t commit to his being the first baseman next season. Now it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be on the roster come spring training.
Other teams have gotten the impression that the Sox would move Casas in a trade. His value has never been lower after playing only 92 games the last two seasons because of significant injuries.
But Casas is projected to receive only $1.7 million via arbitration. That could be enticing for teams looking at add power at a low cost.
⋅ Breslow may someday get around to hiring a general manager. But it’s been more than two years now without one, so is giving somebody a title really going to change anything?
“I’ve not interviewed anyone and I feel like that process is a bit fluid based on other priorities right now,” he said. “Kind of being pretty focused on roster construction and assembling the best team we can for 2026.”
The Sox likely would have promoted assistant GM Paul Toboni had it helped keep him from leaving for the Nationals.
⋅ David Ortiz’s annual charity event was this weekend in Florida. Carlos Narváez was in attendance and spent some time with Ortiz, Johnny Damon, Brock Holt, David Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
It was another sign of how Narváez has embraced everything that comes with playing for the Sox since being obtained from the Yankees.
At 26, Narváez showed a lot of leadership traits as a rookie and impressed teammates by playing through injuries. Getting to know former Sox catchers Ross and Saltalamacchia should be to his benefit.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.