Red Sox Named As Trade Fit For Two-Time Gold Glove Award Infielder

The Boston Red Sox have bolstered their pitching staff this offseason, but the focus could now turn to the offense.

Boston has traded for starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, while reportedly signing left-handed starter Ranger Suarez as well. Although Boston did trade for Willson Contreras after losing Alex Bregman in free agency, the Red Sox could use another bat, and that could also come through a trade.

Red Sox insider Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic named Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner as a trade fit.

“The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner would be another fit, particularly now that Chicago has landed Bregman,” McCaffrey wrote on Wednesday. “Hoerner is also a righty bat who plays second and was among the best defensive second basemen in the league last year, leading the majors with 14 OAA.

“He’s not a power hitter but hit .297 last year and posted a 6.2 bWAR, with an average 4.9 bWAR the last four seasons.”

Hoerner is a great defensive infielder, having won the Gold Glove Award twice, in 2023 and 2025. The 28-year-old can play second base and shortstop and help replace the void of Bregman’s departure.

Hoerner hit .297 with seven home runs and 61 RBIs last season and is a bottom-of-the-order bat. However, one knock on Hoerner is that he’s entering the final year of control, so McCaffrey believes the Red Sox would want an extension done before acquiring him.

Yet, even after the reported signing of Suarez, it appears Boston may not be done adding to the roster.