Resetting Red Sox’s Post-Alex Bregman Trade, Free Agent Options

It’s back to the drawing board for Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow after watching third baseman Alex Bregman bolt for the Chicago Cubs and a five-year, $175 million contract.

So where can Breslow turn in his quest to upgrade the lineup and fill the hole at the hot corner?

Would the Arizona Diamondbacks re-think their decision to take second baseman Ketel Marte off the trade market?

Keep in mind that decision was made before the Red Sox signed former Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract.

As a result, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey notes Boston now has “more flexibility to trade a starter.”

“The Red Sox could entice Arizona with a bigger trade package,” McCaffrey notes.

“The Red Sox also could try to work a deal with the Chicago Cubs for Nico Hoerner,” McCaffrey continues.

“He’s not a power bat, but he hit .297 and posted a 6.2 bWAR last year and was one of the best defensive second basemen in the league. Adding Hoerner would go a long way in strengthening the infield.

“Though he’ll be a free agent next year, the Red Sox could sign him to an extension (a la Garrett Crochet) as a way to offset whatever they lose in a trade,” McCaffrey reports.

Another trade option is St. Louis Cardinals All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan. Working in the Red Sox’s favor is Breslow’s relationship with former Boston head honcho Chaim Bloom, now the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations.

Twice this offseason Breslow and Bloom have completed deals, with the Red Sox acquiring right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras.

Should the Red Sox explore the free-agent market, third baseman Eugenio Suarez is an option, and perhaps not too shabby one at that.

The 34-year-old tied his career high in 2025 with 49 home runs and would certainly add some thunder to the lineup. But he also hit just .228 last season with 196 strikeouts, so he’s not exactly the ideal candidate.

After that, it’s slim pickings for infielders on the free-agent market, although some do have Boston roots. One interesting name is former Red Sox infielder and three-time World Series champion Kike’ Hernandez.

Another former Red Sox infielder on the market is Yoan Moncada, who Boston traded in 2016 to the Chicago White Sox as part of the Chris Sale deal.

One-time All-Star Jose Iglesias is available as well. But at 36 years old, it’s fair to wonder how much tread is left on his tires.

Iglesias made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2011. Boston traded him to the Detroit Tigers in 2013 as part of the three-team deal which landed Jake Peavy. In 2021, Iglesias returned to Boston as a free agent for the club’s stretch run.

If the Red Sox look for internal solutions to the infield problem, Boston has a pair of former prospects who could make sense: Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell.

“A source within the team recently noted a preference for Mayer at third over second base (barring a trade or signing at third),” McCaffrey reports.

Mayer hit .228 with four home runs in 44 games last year before being shut down with a wrist injury.

Campbell, who broke spring training in 2025 with the Red Sox, hit .223 with six home runs in 67 games.

“A team source noted the long-term plan is still for Campbell to maintain his defensive versatility in the future at second and in the outfield, but they want him to get right offensively first,” McCaffrey adds.