The Red Sox are on a mission to strengthen their infield, but who are they willing to trade or acquire? With a recent spree of infield signings, including former Gold Glovers Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Brendan Rodgers, and the acquisition of Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers, the Sox have solidified their infield defense. However, they're not done yet. The team's sights are set on upgrading their infield, and they're exploring various trade options.
The Sox were initially interested in re-signing Alex Bregman, but the Cubs outbid them. They also had their eyes on Ketel Marte, a three-time All-Star, but the Diamondbacks were not interested in trade proposals. The Sox were willing to trade a package led by Franklin Arias and either Payton Tolle or Connelly Early for Marte, but the Diamondbacks' counteroffer led to a breakdown in negotiations.
Marte's ability to veto any trade after Opening Day adds a layer of complexity. With the free agent infield market depleted, the Sox's best and arguably only path to raising their infield's ceiling is through trades. But who are they willing to trade?
The Sox have shown reluctance to trade outfielder Wilyer Abreu, despite his talent, long-term team control, and salary. They've also been hesitant to consider deals involving Tolle and Early. However, they've been open-minded about trading prospects, especially those whose impact won't be immediate. Jarren Duran is one such player, and the Sox are considering him as a trade candidate.
The Sox's willingness to move Duran is driven by their surplus of outfielders and the potential to offset higher-salaried players. While moving Duran's contract isn't a prerequisite for a deal, it's a consideration if the Sox are at the upper end of their spending limit. The team has also been 'persistent' in calling the Astros about third baseman Isaac Paredes, who is an appealing fit for Fenway Park and would provide power in the middle third of their order.
The Astros, however, have a crowded infield with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peña, and Christian Walker. They could benefit from acquiring a left-handed batter and fortifying their rotation. Paredes, despite being one of Houston's top hitters, is not a priority for the Astros due to their depth and recent health concerns. The Astros prefer acquiring inexpensive players with long-term control over players like Duran.
The Sox are also exploring trades with the Cubs, discussing both Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw. Hoerner is an elite defensive second baseman with on-base skills and speed, while Shaw, a rookie, showed potential with a strong second-half performance. The Cubs are considering whether to trade one of these players or keep both and make Shaw a super-utility option. The Sox are among the most serious suitors for a Chicago infielder.
Additionally, the Sox have discussed trades with the Brewers, identifying Caleb Durbin as a potential target. Durbin, a 25-year-old infielder, finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and has solid defense at third base, along with cameos at short and second. The Sox are considering various trade options to strengthen their infield, but the key question remains: who are they willing to trade?
