As another morning breaks across baseball’s offseason landscape, it brings with it fresh intrigue for the Boston Red Sox and yet another new name linked to their ongoing search for infield help. With spring training looming just days away and pitchers and catchers set to report soon, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow continues to scan the trade market in hopes of landing a right-handed hitting infielder who can bring both pop and polish to a roster that still feels a piece short of contention.
According to reporting from the Boston Globe, one of the latest players to surface as a potential target is Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin. Alex Speier notes that multiple industry sources have identified Durbin as someone the Red Sox are actively monitoring as they explore possible trade scenarios.
At 25 years old, Durbin is coming off an impressive rookie campaign that earned him a third-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. His stat line—.256 batting average, .334 on-base percentage, and .387 slugging percentage—may not leap off the page at first glance, but it reflects a solid all-around contributor. Durbin added 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases, demonstrating a blend of moderate power and speed that fits well with the Red Sox’s desire for athleticism and versatility.
Defensively, Durbin also checks several boxes. While he spent most of his time at third base, he showed enough comfort at shortstop and second base to suggest he could handle multiple roles if needed.
MORE: Red Sox Trade $55 Million Starting Pitcher to Padres
That flexibility is particularly appealing to a Boston club that values adaptability, especially given the uncertainty surrounding its infield alignment heading into the season. Durbin’s profile—young, cost-controlled, defensively reliable, and capable of contributing across the board—makes him a logical candidate for a team seeking incremental but meaningful upgrades.
Still, Durbin is far from the only Rookie of the Year finalist who has captured Breslow’s attention. Speier reports that the Red Sox remain linked to Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw, another young player who made waves during his debut season. Shaw finished ninth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and has been on Boston’s radar for some time. A Massachusetts native, Shaw carries the added intrigue of local ties, though the Red Sox’s interest goes well beyond sentimentality.
The Cubs, according to Speier, continue to weigh their options with regard to both Shaw and fellow infielder Nico Hoerner. Chicago’s infield situation has become increasingly crowded following the signing of Alex Bregman, creating a potential logjam that could prompt the Cubs to consider dealing from their surplus. The Red Sox have reportedly been engaged in ongoing trade discussions with Chicago about both Hoerner and Shaw, exploring whether there is a match that makes sense for both sides.
Chicago faces an interesting decision. They could choose to move one of their infielders to rebalance the roster, or they could keep both and deploy Shaw in a super-utility role that maximizes his versatility. Shaw’s ability to move around the diamond gives the Cubs flexibility, but it also enhances his appeal to other teams, including Boston, that are searching for multi-dimensional players.
Speier adds that, according to one source, the Red Sox are among the two or three most serious suitors for a Chicago infielder. That suggests Boston is not merely kicking the tires but is deeply engaged in these talks, even as competition from other teams looms.
MORE: Orioles fans rake Mike Elias over the coals after Framber Valdez lands with Tigers
The calculus becomes even more complex when factoring in contractual timelines. Shaw comes with six full seasons of team control, making him a long-term asset who could anchor the infield for years to come. Hoerner, by contrast, is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, offering a shorter window of control but also a more established track record at the major league level.
However, that short-term versus long-term distinction may not be as clear-cut as it appears. The Cubs, Speier notes, could explore an extension with Hoerner, potentially altering his value and availability. Hoerner is highly regarded in Chicago not only for his on-field contributions but also for his leadership and presence in the clubhouse. Any decision to move him would not be taken lightly, and an extension could solidify his role as a core piece rather than a trade chip.
From Boston’s perspective, the ideal addition is becoming increasingly elusive as the offseason wears on. As Tim Healey of the Boston Globe points out, the Red Sox are searching for a right-handed infielder who brings strong defense and provides a tangible boost to the lineup. At this stage of the calendar, that combination may be more mythical than realistic. Healey describes such a player as something of a “unicorn,” especially given that most remaining options come with notable flaws or steep acquisition costs.
Hoerner and Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes are cited as examples of these imperfect but intriguing candidates. Hoerner is widely respected for his defense and baseball instincts, but his offensive production has generally hovered around league average, raising questions about how much he would truly elevate Boston’s lineup. Paredes, on the other hand, offers a bat that seems tailor-made for Fenway Park, particularly with his pull-side power that could play well off the Green Monster. Yet his defensive metrics leave something to be desired, complicating his fit on a team that values run prevention.
Despite those concerns, the Red Sox’s interest in Paredes appears to be very real. Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic report that trade rumors linking Boston and Houston are legitimate and grounded in substantive discussions rather than idle speculation. According to their reporting, the Astros have been actively trying to reduce their infield surplus, and Boston has been one of the teams involved in those conversations.
MORE: Giants trade for $56M former Cy Young winner in risky move
One particularly notable development involved serious talks around a potential three-team trade. In that scenario, Houston would have sent Paredes to the Red Sox while acquiring utilityman Brendan Donovan. Donovan, a versatile and well-rounded player, was viewed as a desirable piece for multiple teams, including both Boston and Houston. Ultimately, however, that complex deal failed to materialize. Donovan was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Seattle Mariners, an outcome that left both the Astros and the Red Sox empty-handed.
Rosenthal and Rome report that Boston not only missed out on Paredes in that three-team framework but also saw a parallel effort to acquire Donovan fall apart. People familiar with the discussions indicated that the Red Sox were deeply involved but unable to push a deal across the finish line. These near-misses underscore both the competitiveness of the market and the challenges Breslow faces as he attempts to navigate it.
Even so, Boston has not backed away from the pursuit of Paredes. According to multiple league sources cited by Rosenthal and Rome, the Red Sox remain one of at least five teams engaged in discussions with the Astros about the infielder. That level of interest suggests Houston may still be open to moving Paredes if the right offer emerges. Among the other teams reportedly involved are the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have a clear need for an upgrade at third base. Pittsburgh recently tried—and failed—to sign free agent Eugenio Suárez before he reached an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds, further motivating them to explore trade options.
The crowded field of suitors only adds to the urgency for Boston. With each passing day, the window to complete a deal before spring training narrows. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report this week in Fort Myers, Florida, and while trades can certainly happen during camp, teams generally prefer to have their rosters largely settled by that point. For Breslow, the pressure is mounting to turn conversations into concrete action.
This sense of urgency is amplified by the broader context of the Red Sox’s offseason. Boston has made several moves aimed at improving the roster, but the infield remains an area of focus—and, in some respects, concern. The front office appears intent on adding a player who can stabilize the defense while also providing right-handed balance to a lineup that has leaned heavily left-handed in recent years. That goal has guided their interest in players like Durbin, Shaw, Hoerner, and Paredes, each of whom offers a different blend of skills, upside, and risk.
MORE: Padres officially grab another intriguing attention in latest move
Durbin represents a younger, emerging option with recent accolades and room to grow. Shaw offers long-term control and positional flexibility, along with the appeal of a homegrown New England connection. Hoerner brings proven defense, leadership, and a steady presence, albeit with questions about offensive impact. Paredes supplies power that could thrive at Fenway but raises concerns about defense and overall fit. None of these players is a perfect solution, but each could address specific needs depending on how the Red Sox prioritize short-term gains versus long-term planning.
Ultimately, the coming days may prove decisive. As spring training draws near, trade partners will have to determine whether they are willing to part with valued assets now or wait until the season unfolds. For the Red Sox, standing pat carries its own risks, particularly in a competitive division where marginal improvements can make a significant difference over 162 games.
One thing, however, is clear: the clock is ticking. With players preparing to arrive in Fort Myers and the offseason’s final act underway, Breslow and the Red Sox front office must decide how aggressively to push for an infield upgrade—and which of these imperfect but intriguing options is worth the cost.
Be the first to comment