Boston Red Sox
Over the last 30 days, Durbin has the best OPS on the Red Sox.
Caleb Durbin’s turnaround has been a welcome sight for the 2026 Red Sox. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Caleb Durbin was on the hot seat for the first couple months of 2026. But over the last month, he’s turned into one of the more effective Red Sox offensively.
And with a few more years of team control, Durbin’s turnaround could be a welcome sight for the future of the Red Sox.
On Friday night, Durbin launched a lead-extending home run, his seventh in the last 30 days. That’s the most on the Red Sox. He also leads Boston in OPS (.977) during that stretch, and is second in RBIs (14) behind Willson Contreras, and in hits (25) behind Ceddanne Rafaela.
Considering how Durbin started the season, it’s hard to imagine him emerging as a top offensive player in 2026. But that’s exactly what he’s done.
“It was great to come out west, and I’ve never played in this ballpark before so it was a lot of fun,” Durbin said after Friday’s win. “Good to get the first one out of the way of the series.”
In the middle of the season, Durbin started working with a new personal hitting coach, and his game has trended upwards since.
Durbin took the reins at third base after contract talks broke down with Alex Bregman last offseason. Taking the helm after Boston’s previous two third basemen, Bregman and Rafael Devers, wasn’t an easy task, and Durbin certainly hasn’t been quite as effective as the former two. But his struggles have dissipated of late, and as Boston’s overall inconsistencies persist, it needs Durbin to be steadier now than ever.
If Durbin’s trajectory from March-May had continued, there would be no question the Red Sox would search for a replacement at third base next year. But now Durbin’s contract situation presents an interesting option for Boston.
What a turn around it’s been for Caleb Durbin.
Through May 24th- .163 AVG, .479 OPS
Since 5/28 vs ATL- .321 AVG, .945 OPS
This was his 8th HR, 3 away from tying last year’s total of 11 with 76 games to go. pic.twitter.com/tko3D3U0eM
— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) July 4, 2026
Durbin is only officially inked to a 1-year deal with the Red Sox, but Boston has team control of Durbin until 2031, giving it power to keep Durbin on its roster with a low salary cap number.
So, if the Red Sox want to make a splash free agency move in 2027, they can employ Durbin to ease their overall cap hit. He has the kind of deal that the Craig Breslow regime of the Red Sox front office has salivated for, as the more effective he proves to be, the more roster flexibility he will give the team.
So, Boston is surely hoping Durbin remains this effective for the rest of the season. Durbin will be back at third base on Saturday night for Game 2 against the Angels. First pitch is set for 9:38 p.m. Eastern Time.
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