He wasn't supposed to be the guy. Honestly, when the Boston Red Sox claimed Romy Gonzalez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in early 2024, most fans just saw another name on the transaction wire. A depth piece. A "just in case" body for Worcester. But baseball has a funny way of rewarding the guys who can play everywhere and hit the ball harder than a freight train.
By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, Romy wasn't just a roster filler. He was a legitimate offensive spark plug.
He finished that 2025 campaign with a .305 batting average and an .826 OPS. For a guy who bounced around seven different defensive positions, those aren't just "utility" numbers. Those are "you have to find a spot for this guy in the lineup" numbers. As we head into 2026, the conversation around Gonzalez has shifted from "Who is this?" to "How do the Red Sox keep him healthy enough to do it again?"
The Versatility That Made Alex Cora a Believer
Alex Cora loves a puzzle. And Romy Gonzalez is basically the ultimate cheat code for a manager who likes to mix and match. In 2024, Romy became the first Red Sox player since the legendary Brock Holt in 2015 to play at least one game at every single defensive spot except pitcher and catcher.
He logged time at:
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- First Base
- Second Base
- Third Base
- Shortstop
- Left Field
- Center Field
- Right Field
That isn't just "standing there," either. He was actually the only player in the entire league in 2024 to log at least 75 innings at all four infield positions. Think about the mental tax that takes. One night you're stretching for throws at first, the next you're the pivot man at second, and by the weekend, you're tracking fly balls in the Fenway sun.
Cora has been vocal about this. During the 2025 season, when the Sox were dealing with a rotating door of injuries to guys like Triston Casas and Roman Anthony, Romy was the glue. There was a moment in June 2025 where Cora actually got tossed from a game against the Rays just for sticking up for Romy on a bad strike-three call. When your manager is willing to take a fine and a trip to the clubhouse to defend your strike zone, you know you’ve earned your stripes in that dugout.
Crushing Lefties and Long-Distance Trophies
If you want to know why the Red Sox just handed him a $1.6 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration, look at his splits. The man is a certified lefty-killer. In 2024, he posted a .302 average against southpaws. He basically makes life miserable for left-handed relief pitchers.
But it’s the raw power that sneaks up on you. Romy doesn't look like a classic "slugger," but he finished 2024 leading the MLB in average home run distance (for players with at least 5 HRs). We’re talking about a 452-foot blast in Kansas City that left everyone in the stadium—including the Statcast computers—doing a double-take.
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He hits the ball loud.
The Injury Bug: The Only Thing Stopping Romy
It hasn't been all sunshine and Green Monster doubles. The biggest knock on Romy Gonzalez isn't his glove or his bat—it's his durability.
The list of "bang-ups" is long:
- Right shoulder surgery in 2023 that ended his White Sox tenure.
- Left wrist sprain early in 2024.
- Hamstring and quad issues that cost him significant time.
- Knee inflammation that cropped up late in 2025.
In 2024, he missed 39 games. In 2025, he only managed 84 games despite being one of the team’s most productive hitters. It’s frustrating for the fans, but it’s gotta be even more taxing for him. When he’s on the field, he’s a .300 hitter with 20-HR potential. When he’s in the training room, the Red Sox lineup loses its most versatile weapon.
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What 2026 Looks Like for Romy Gonzalez
So, where does he fit now? With the Red Sox signing him to that one-year deal in January 2026, the plan seems clear: he’s the frontrunner for regular reps at second base, but with a massive asterisk.
The Sox traded for Willson Contreras to help solve the first base void while Triston Casas works his way back, which actually frees Romy up. He doesn't have to be the "emergency first baseman" as much anymore. Instead, he can focus on being the high-end utility weapon he was meant to be.
Most scouts still grade his power at a 55 on the 20-80 scale. That’s legit. If he can actually stay on the dirt for 130 games, we might be looking at a guy who finally breaks the 15-homer mark while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at three different spots.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Splits: If you're a fantasy player or a sports bettor, Romy is a "must-start" whenever a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. His career OPS against lefties is significantly higher than his marks against righties.
- Monitor the Knee: Keep a close eye on the early Spring Training reports out of Fort Myers. Romy’s value is tied to his sprint speed (which was in the 90th percentile in 2024). If that knee issue from last September lingers, he loses the range that makes him elite at shortstop and center field.
- Second Base Battle: While Romy is the "frontrunner," guys like David Hamilton provide a different look with elite speed. Expect Cora to use a rotation, but Romy is the high-ceiling play for the middle of the order.
Romy Gonzalez is the kind of player who makes modern baseball work. He’s not a superstar, but he’s the guy who lets superstars take a day off without the team losing a beat. If he stays healthy in 2026, he won't just be a utility man—he'll be an indispensable part of a Red Sox playoff push.