Red Sox have a 'fatal flaw' at two positions according to an ESPN analyst

Mar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox have had quite the 2026 season. While they once looked like a trade-deadline seller, they wound up buying after an incredible summer brought them right back into the postseason hunt.

Now, heading into the final week or so of the season, they're trying to lock up a playoff spot and figure out their seeding as well. But if they hold on and make the postseason, it might not be smooth sailing in October.

As ESPN analyst David Schoenfield highlighted, the Red Sox have a "fatal flaw" at two key positions: shortstop and second base. Trevor Story and the 2B rotation are big question marks that could end up sinking the Red Sox in October.

Red Sox have major SS/2B question marks that could become a 'fatal flaw'

"Boston Red Sox. Fatal flaw: Middle infield (26th in OPS from 2B/SS)," Schoenfield writes. "It's been a revolving door at both middle infield positions all season as the Red Sox have started seven players at second base and six at shortstop, with Trevor Story's 55 games started at shortstop the most at either position."

The massive instability at shortstop for the Red Sox has become a real issue. A healthy Curtis Mead would've resolved second base, but he's banged up, and even if he returns, there will be plenty of questions about his production.

Nick Sogard, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Anthony Siegler, Andruw Monasterio, and Eli White have been rotating in and out of the lineup at second base and shortstop, with Story manning shortstop most of the time.

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Now with Story back, he's locked into the shortstop position. He hit a clutch three-run home run the other night against the Texas Rangers. If he can get hot, this big issue for the Red Sox could be cut in half.

If there's only a question about the offensive production from second base, it's an issue that the Red Sox can much more easily deal with as opposed to having issues at both shortstop and second base.

The offensive production from the middle infield, ranked 26th in MLB going by OPS, is something worth worrying about.

But if just one of those positions were to get hot, then there might not be much stopping this Red Sox team from potentially going on a deep run.

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