The Boston Red Sox are in a desperate hunt for a power-hitting infielder, and the clock is ticking as spring training looms! With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, the team's front office is making a serious push to bolster their lineup with someone who can bring some serious pop. But here's where it gets tricky: finding that perfect blend of offense and defense in the infield at this late stage of the offseason is proving to be a real challenge.
Industry insiders are buzzing that the Red Sox are actively exploring trade options to acquire an infielder with significant offensive potential. This comes as the team is preparing to head to Fort Myers, Florida, for their spring training preparations. Sean McAdam of Masslive.com reports that the Sox are still very much in the market for an infielder, and the expectation is that this player will bring considerably more offensive firepower than what they currently have.
And this is the part most people miss: The Red Sox are reportedly in discussions with the Chicago Cubs about two of their infielders: Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw. Shaw, who hails from Massachusetts, is a particularly intriguing prospect. The Cubs, however, are in a bit of a quandary themselves. With the recent signing of Alex Bregman, their infield might be getting a little crowded. They're weighing whether to move one of these players, or perhaps keep both and develop Shaw into a super-utility player. According to one source, the Red Sox are among the two or three most serious contenders for a Cubs infielder.
But the Red Sox aren't putting all their eggs in one basket! They've also been persistently reaching out to the Houston Astros about Isaac Paredes. What makes Paredes so appealing? His tendency to pull the ball in the air as a right-handed hitter is a perfect match for the unique dimensions of Fenway Park, potentially making him a significant power threat in the middle of the Red Sox order. This aligns with what Tim Healey of the Boston Globe is hearing, who notes that the ideal acquisition would be a right-handed infielder with sharp defense who also boosts the lineup. However, Healey points out that such a player might be a 'unicorn' at this point in the offseason.
Healey further elaborates that both the Cubs' Nico Hoerner (strong defensively but with average hitting numbers) and the Astros' Isaac Paredes (a hitter suited for Fenway but not a defensive standout) represent imperfect, and likely expensive, trade candidates for the Red Sox.
Here's a surprising twist: According to Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Red Sox may have already come very close to landing their slugging infielder of the future. In a complex three-way trade scenario, the Houston Astros were reportedly looking to move Isaac Paredes to Boston. In exchange, Houston would have acquired utilityman Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. However, this deal ultimately fell apart. Donovan ended up with the Seattle Mariners, and the Red Sox were left empty-handed, not only missing out on Paredes in that potential deal but also failing in a separate attempt to acquire Donovan. It seems the Red Sox were shut out on both fronts!
Despite these setbacks, Boston remains one of at least five teams actively engaged with the Astros about acquiring Paredes. The Pittsburgh Pirates are also mentioned as a suitor, having previously tried to sign free-agent Eugenio Suárez before he joined the Cincinnati Reds.
Let's look at the stats of these potential targets:
- Isaac Paredes (26): A two-time All-Star, he posted a career-high .254 batting average last season for the Astros, with 20 home runs and 53 RBIs.
- Nico Hoerner (28): A two-time Gold Glove winner, he hit a solid .297 in 2025 for the Cubs.
- Matt Shaw (24): He finished ninth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season, hitting 13 home runs, driving in 44 RBIs, and stealing 17 bases in 126 games.
Now, for the part that might spark some debate: While the Red Sox are clearly prioritizing offensive upside, is it wise to overlook defensive capabilities, especially with players like Paredes? And with so many teams vying for these limited infielders, are the Red Sox willing to pay the potentially high price in prospects? What do you think – which player would be the best fit for Boston, and what are your concerns about the current trade landscape? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
