The Boston Red Sox didn't land any of their long-rumored third base targets over the offseason. Boston had been linked to multiple free agent and trade candidates to fill the vacancy left by Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman, but didn't acquire any of them before Caleb Durbin came into the picture.
It's only spring training, but Durbin seems like a great addition to the Red Sox's roster so far. He doesn't strike out, he's made good use of the Green Monster and his defense has been clean. That isn't enough to keep insiders from speculating about even more additions to Boston's roster, however.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote on March 3 that the Red Sox remain the best trade fit for Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (subscription required). Durbin has years of experience as a second baseman, and Rosenthal advocates for playing Paredes at third base and moving Durbin to the middle infield so the Red Sox wouldn't have to rely on Marcelo Mayer.
The Astros coveted Wilyer Abreu, a former prospect of theirs, in Paredes trade talks with Boston, but it has insisted on keeping him (and rightly so — he's the best defensive right fielder Fenway Park has seen in years). Rosenthal says the trade package may have to be built around Jarren Duran, although the Sox and Astros are no longer in contact about a potential deal.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal still thinks Red Sox are the best trade fit for Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes
But the Red Sox have already thrown Duran's name into Paredes trade negotiations and Houston hasn't met their price. Over the winter, Duran was fresh off a down season, and although spring training stats don't matter, he seems to be back to his 2024, MVP-vote-earning self. If Boston's price for Duran was high before, it's only increased now.
Mayer has minor league options remaining so Boston as different routes it could take with him this coming season, but having Durbin and Mayer for the next five years along with Paredes and Trevor Story could lead to more infield crowding. Mayer is also big league ready, or close to it now, and it makes little sense to bury him at this point.
The Red Sox have Romy Gonzalez as their must-have lefty killer, Andruw Monasterio came over in the Durbin trade and they signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa — another infielder, even a power-hitting one like Paredes, only stands to add more confusion to an already crowded roster, unless Boston makes an unexpected trade.
The Red Sox were a good match for the Astros and Paredes before their many other infield trades, but they've added Durbin and Willson Contreras as everyday players and they seem to be fitting in well with the team. They've already made so many other trades that have depleted much of their expendable major and minor league depth. Boston adding Paredes now seems less likely than ever.