Red Sox Better Off Trading For All-Star, Skipping Free-Agent Slugger
Red Sox chief baseball office Craig Breslow is shopping for a power bat
So you’re saying there’s a chance? Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, in his quest to add a bat to the lineup, could once again find himself heading down a path previously considered a dead end.
“The Diamondbacks made (Ketel) Marte available this fall and fielded offers from several contending clubs up through the Winter Meetings,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reports.
“At that point, they were seeking young, controllable starters in return. They never found a deal close to their liking and instead took him off the trade market, stating that he would remain with the team for the 2026 season.
“Keep in mind, that stance could change with a robust trade offer, something that could come about if there is a major injury to a player in spring training and a team decides to revisit trade talks and offer closer to what Arizona was looking for in the beginning,” Bowden adds.
“If the Red Sox don’t land Eugenio Suárez in free agency and can’t find another bat, they could easily circle back and make another run at Marte, as could the Yankees, Tigers and Phillies, all of whom expressed interest this offseason,” Bowden concludes.
Suarez, 34, is the best bat still on the open market. He tied his career high last season with 49 home runs.
But his .228 batting average and 196 strikeouts, not to mention his less-than-stellar defense at third base, have suppressed Suarez’s market.
He led the majors in errors at third base in 2016, committing 23 for the Cincinnati Reds. Suarez led the National League in errors at third base again in 2018 (19) and 2019 (17).
On the flip side, trading for Marte would be a home run for Breslow. The 32-year-old infielder is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
He hit .283 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs last season. In 2024, Marte finished third in voting for National League MVP after setting career highs with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs.
A deal for Marte would be the fourth major trade this offseason for Breslow, who previously acquired right-hander Sonny Gray, first baseman Willson Contreras and right-hander Johan Oviedo.
Breslow had hoped Alex Bregman would return to the hot corner for the Red Sox, but the three-time All-Star signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
