Red Sox Reportedly ‘Active’ In Trade Talks For This Position
Boston keeps popping up in trade rumors
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than two weeks, but the Boston Red Sox are staying busy as the offseason winds down.
The Red Sox still have roster issues to solve. Their outfield is overcrowded and their infield could use some help. They also have too many starting pitchers and not enough relievers.
According to a new report for The Athletic (subscription required) on Friday, team beat writer Jen McCaffrey writes that “the Red Sox have been ‘active’ in trade talks for an infielder,” according to a team source. However, “nothing is imminent.”
This isn’t surprising, as Boston has been linked to numerous infielders in trade rumors over the last several weeks, from Ketel Marte and Nico Hoerner to Isaac Paredes and C.J. Abrams.
The Red Sox could use a third baseman to replace Alex Bregman and/or an everyday second baseman, which they haven’t had in quite some time. Marcelo Mayer could play either, but Boston would prefer to start him at the hot corner based on McCaffrey’s report.
“A team source indicated a preference for Marcelo Mayer to start at third base over second base,” McCaffrey writes. “If Mayer is the leading candidate at third base, the Red Sox may be targeting a strong defensive second baseman.”
Craig Breslow expressed the desire for a strong defensive infielder during Ranger Suarez’s introductory press conference last week, as Boston now has several elite groundball pitchers in the starting rotation. That could rule out Paredes or Eugenio Suarez, both of whom are subpar defensively.
“The Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw remain as trade options, particularly after the Cubs signed Bregman,” McCaffrey adds. “Both could provide strong defense at second base — particularly Hoerner, who posted 14 OAA last season at the position.”
The Red Sox still have several options, but they’re running out of time. As spring training approaches, the thought of Mayer at third and a Romy Gonzalez/David Hamilton platoon at second becomes more likely.
