Infield free agents and trade candidates are flying off the board as spring training inches closer. The Boston Red Sox are still searching for the final puzzle piece in their lineup and landing it won't be easy.
The Red Sox have been linked to Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes and Chicago Cubs teammates Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner in the final weeks of the offseason (subscription required). There has been little reported movement on a deal for any of them, not for Boston's lack of trying.
The Cubs have reportedly listened on both Hoerner and Shaw, but they're not exceedingly motivated to move either. Luckily, a February 3 report from New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman suggests that a Hoerner trade could still be possible this winter (subscription required).
"The Cubs were open to moving [Hoerner] at points during this offseason, especially after the signing of Alex Bregman that could allow Matt Shaw to shift to second base," Sherman wrote. "...he is due $12 million for 2026 before becoming a free agent, and the Cubs would have to get a strong return to consider dealing him."
Joel Sherman reports that Cubs could still be open to Nico Hoerner trade as Red Sox's desperation for an infielder grows
Despite only being a one-year solution, Hoerner is the better solution than Shaw for Boston. Not only are the Red Sox prioritizing quality defense, which Hoerner offers in spades, he's also a veteran and would serve as more of a replacement for Bregman than Shaw would.
Shaw would be a longer-term solution, but that also means he'd cost the Red Sox much more because there are five years of team control remaining on his contract. He's also not a proven big leaguer, as Hoerner is and as Boston needs after losing Bregman. The Sox have already made so many trades this winter and depleted much of their expendable prospect depth — trading for Shaw is a risk they can't currently afford to take.
Some may argue against a Hoerner trade because he could be in Boston for just one season (barring a contract extension, which Craig Breslow could attempt). The Red Sox have already made a few "win now" moves in trading for Sonny Gray, who has one year remaining on his contract, and Willson Contreras, who has two and an option. Trading for Hoerner is the better way to complement the moves the Red Sox have already made.
It has to be said that the true best option for Boston would've been to sign a free agent. The Red Sox have already made so many trades that any more are unnecessary — John Henry and Fenway Sports Group have an endless supply of money, but the farm system has limitations.
However, the other moves the Red Sox made call for aggressive, but intelligent action. Signing Hoerner is the last move that would cement Boston as a pennant contender.