For much of the offseason, the Boston Red Sox eyed Ketel Marte as an experienced infield trade candidate as a backup plan just in case they lost out on Alex Bregman. But shortly before Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced their plan to pull Marte from the trade block.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said that no team came close to trading for Marte this offseason and that he never really expected a deal to occur. Some optimistic Red Sox fans and media personalities believe that, after their Ranger Suárez signing, the Sox may be able to convince Arizona to put Marte back on the market with returns from their newly deep starting rotation.
Unfortunately for Boston, a major league source with knowledge of the D-Backs' offseason plans says that the door to a Marte trade remains “firmly shut," according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe (subscription required). The Red Sox will have to look elsewhere for infield reinforcements, which are still most likely to come via the trade market.
Isaac Paredes has emerged as a top target since Marte's removal form the trade market. MLB insider Jon Heyman has confirmed Boston's contact with the Houston Astros (subscription required).
With door to Ketel Marte trade 'firmly shut,' Red Sox may have to turn to Isaac Paredes at third base
Unlike Brendan Donovan, another St. Louis Cardinal linked to the Red Sox in trade rumors, Paredes is right-handed and would bring much-needed balance to Boston's batting order. He's a pull hitter and his swing is well suited to Fenway Park and the Green Monster. Paredes hit 20 home runs last year, all of which left the yard over left field. In 2025, he also ranked in the upper quartile of the league in walk rate, chase rate and whiff rate, and in the 74th percentile in strikeout rate.
Paredes is entering his age-27 season and his fit in Houston's infield is imperfect. He's capable of being an everyday player, but with Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peña and Jose Altuve in the Astros' infield, it makes sense to move him elsewhere for pitching or outfield help.
Paredes' fit with the Red Sox also isn't perfect, as he's not a great defender. He posted -3 outs above average last season and -4 defensive runs saved. Boston traded Rafael Devers to field a defensive upgrade at third base (among other reasons), and Paredes doesn't fit that bill, but it's too late in the offseason for the Red Sox to be picky.
Boston probably won't be able to lure the Diamondbacks into a Marte trade, given that it didn't want to meet their asking price before it was desperate. Eugenio Suárez is also still available on the free agent market, but if the Sox are looking to trade, Paredes seems like the answer to their third base vacancy.