Despite the Boston Red Sox's many connections to infield free agent and trade candidates, they don't seem any closer to acquiring any of them than they were at the beginning of the offseason. A reunion with Alex Bregman has been reported to be Boston's top priority, but his asking price could change that in a flash.
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte ranks high on the Sox's list of infield targets. He's one of the best second basemen in the game and would give Boston an experienced, consistent bat and a solid defender at a position that has long been a revolving door in its lineup.
MLB insider Jon Heyman left room for Arizona to hold onto Marte, though. Like the Red Sox, the Diamondbacks have checked in on Bregman this winter, and his status as an Arizona resident during the offseason could make them a formidable suitor. At this point, the D-Backs may only trade Marte if they land Bregman, according to Heyman on the December 29 installment of his weekly Bleacher Report livestream.
"He's been connected to a bunch of teams, it'll be weird if he's not traded, in a way, but I'm kinda thinking, if the D-Backs sign Bregman, I think that will be the indication Marte will likely be traded. St this point, I'm gonna say he might stay, even after all this trade talk," Heyman said. "Certainly Boston, Tampa Bay, Seattle at the forefront of those talks."
MLB insider Jon Heyman downplays possibility of Ketel Marte, one of the Red Sox's top targets, being traded
It's reassuring to hear that the Red Sox are still players in Marte talks, especially since Bregman's market seems to be going nowhere fast. Boston reportedly hasn't been comfortable with Arizona's asking price at this point, however — and since a trade still hasn't happened, so must Marte's other suitors.
Rumors have circulated that the Diamondbacks have asked for young, MLB-ready pitching, such as Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, in exchange for Marte. Marcelo Mayer's name has also come up in some Marte packages, and the Red Sox are trying to avoid trading him, as he's a former No. 1 prospect in the organization and it sees him as part of its young core.
The Red Sox are also allegedly looking at Bo Bichette, Isaac Paredes and Brendan Donovan to fill their infield if their hopes for Bregman or Marte don't come to fruition. Boston has more than enough money to pay Bregman what he's worth, but its pool of talent isn't infinite. If Arizona's asking price for Marte is more than the Sox are willing to consider, a reunion with Bregman remains their best path to