The Boston Red Sox have been in the market for infield help ever since Alex Bregman decided to leave the team to sign with the Chicago Cubs in MLB free agency.
Plenty of players have been mentioned as possible targets for the Red Sox. However, many of those players have already found new homes since Bregman left town.
Eugenio Suarez and Brendan Donovan were both viewed as possible options for Boston. Unfortunately, Suarez decided to sign with the Cincinnati Reds and Brendan Donovan was just traded to the Seattle Mariners. The Red Sox are running out of options.
That being said, there have been rumors connecting Boston and the Cubs as potential trade partners in recent weeks. Those rumors have been reignited after the Donovan trade.
Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs Could Still Make a Trade
With Bregman now in Chicago, the Cubs have options. They could choose to trade either second baseman Nico Hoerner or third baseman Matt Shaw.
Following the news of Donovan being traded to the Mariners, Tim Healey of the Boston Globe has brought the two teams up as potential trade partners once again. He also mentioned Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, although noted that he isn’t a great fit for the Red Sox.
“Donovan is off the board. Paredes isn’t a great fit, nor was Suarez,” Healey wrote on X.
“Is Red Sox’ best infield option paying up for Hoerner or Shaw? Cubs are listening. Cost would be high. Would take guts. Hoerner especially would be proof of Breslow’s ‘focus on ’26, not the future’ approach.”
Hoerner would be an elite addition for Boston. He’s one of the best defensive infielders in baseball and his bat has been quality throughout his career in Chicago as well.
Shaw isn’t being talked about quite as much for the Red Sox. His glove was elite last season as a rookie, but his bat left a lot to be desired.
Nico Hoerner Is Exactly What the Doctor Ordered for the Red Sox
During the 2025 MLB season with the Cubs, the 28-year-old Horner played in 156 games. He hit seven home runs to go along with 61 RBI, 29 stolen bases, and a slash line of .297/.345/.394.
While Horner doesn’t bring much pop to the lineup, he knows how to get on base. He’s also a clutch hitter who has come up in big situations time and time again for Chicago.
As Healey mentioned, trading for Hoerner would not come cheap. Boston would have to give up a lot of value to bring him onboard. Jed Hoyer and the Cubs do not have to make a move.
Even though the price tag would be high, the Red Sox should try to get something done. Hoerner would be exactly the kind of move that would help Boston contend in 2026.
Whether or not the Red Sox will aggressively pursue a trade with Chicago or not remains to be seen, but this is a scenario to keep a close eye on as the offseason moves forward.
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