Three takeaways on the pending Eduardo Nunez signing

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Here are three quick thoughts on Eduardo Nunez, who is in agreement on a one-year deal with an option with the Red Sox, and what he means to the 2018 team:

1. The competition for the final utility spot on the roster is now even more crowded.

With Nunez effectively set to become the regular second baseman for the first two months of the season, the composition of the Opening Day roster is closer to set. The Sox will have four outfielders (the starters plus Bryce Brentz), three catchers (two holdovers, plus Blake Swihart, who’s out of options), leaving room for six infielders. Take the four starters (including, for the purposes of this discussion, Nunez at second) and that leaves the DH (Hanley Ramirez) and one backup infielder.

The list of candidates in camp is a lengthy one and Nunez’s arrival will mean that only one of the following can make the Opening Day roster: Deven Marrero, Brock Holt, Tzu-Wei Lin and Marco Hernandez.

It would make sense for the Sox to choose a lefty hitter to offset the right-handed Nunez, so that’s bad news for Marrero, a righty, especially since Nunez can play shortstop, Marrero’s best position.

2. The signing represents a small win for the Red Sox over the Yankees.

Having traded third baseman Chase Headley (San Diego) and Starlin Castro (Miami), the Yankees have two obvious holes in the infield and are facing the prospect of going with two rookies at the positions – albeit, two highly talented ones (Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andjuar).

The Yanks signed journeyman Danny Espinosa to a minor-league deal last month, but he hardly seems like a full-season answer.

Keep in mind that the Yankees – unlike the Red Sox –are committed to staying under the competitive balance tax (CBT), or luxury tax, threshold, so that’s restricting how much they can spend.

In this case, the Red Sox had far more payroll flexibility than the Yankees, enabling them to beat out their rivals for Nunez.

3. Nunez’s arrival signing might have an impact on the lineup in the short-term.

New manager Alex Cora has repeatedly said he intends to have Mookie Betts hit leadoff, likening Betts to Houston’s George Springer, who brought both on-base ability and power to the top of Houston’s batting order. As recently as Thursday, Cora reiterated: “(Likely Tampa Bay starter Chris) Archer will be throwing the first pitch to Mookie Betts (on Opening Day).’’ But with Dustin Pedroia sidelined, it might make more sense to have Nunez hit leadoff with Betts dropped down to third. Nunez has some power – though not the equal to Betts, of course – and speed enough to run and steal bases, while Betts has more run-producing ability in the third spot.

Last season, in 38 games with the Red Sox, Nunez hit leadoff 25 times and second eight times. Granted, that was under a different manager and coaching staff, but there’s evidence to suggest that Nunez can be a top-of-the-order catalyst, and that could be wasted having him third – or lower.