The Boston Red Sox made a splash signing on Friday after agreeing to a four-year, $58 million contract with Jake Bauers. After Bauers helped the Milwaukee Brewers win the 2026 World Series playing first base, rumors speculate that he may play more than one role alongside Willson Contreras.

It's said that the 31-year-old is expected to split playing time as a designated hitter and first baseman with Contreras, according to Will Sammon, Stephen J. Nesbitt, and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. The Red Sox seemingly still value the defensive abilities Contreras brings to the table, and don't want to move him completely away from the first base position.

“Bauers is a subpar defensive first baseman, and though he has experience at both corner outfield spots, he's not great defensively there, either,” The Athletic wrote. “A team source, granted anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly, noted the plan is for Bauers to split time at designated hitter and first base with Contreras.”

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