Heading into the New Year, the Boston Red Sox still have a major hole to fill in their infield. At the end of the 2025 season, the major question mark hung over second base. Once Kristian Campbell was sent down in late June, no one took hold of the spot and left it as a hole to fill.
Then, Alex Bregman opted out of his contract, which was expected. That meant another hole opened in the infield. Boston has a fix for one of those holes in Marcelo Mayer. The former top prospect showed potential elite defense at both third and second, meaning he can plug into either spot on Opening Day. His bat, on the other hand, has a ways to go.
That leaves the other position, and a big enough bat to replace Bregman's production. Now that could be Bregman, and he seems to be the team's top target, but he's free to go elsewhere if he pleases. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox have three other targets that they are considering: Bo Bichette, Ketel Marte, and Isaac Paredes.
Bichette is a free agent, and heading into his age-28 season, he will garner a major contract, even if he is only going to be a second baseman. Marte rumors have been swirling for about a month, and the two-time Silver Slugger checks the most boxes, but will also require a major trade package. Paredes might check the fewest boxes, but will also cost the least. So which one is the best overall fit?
From @alexspeier:
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) December 27, 2025
“According to major league sources, the team’s primary targets remain fairly consistent: Free agent infielders Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, as well as trade candidates Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks), Isaac Paredes (Astros), and Brandon Donovan (Cardinals).” pic.twitter.com/qk3RhZ5Zg5
Of the Red Sox's 3 top infield targets (besides Alex Bregman), Isaac Paredes fits best
The answer is Paredes. The third baseman is a dead pull right-handed hitter and plays solid enough defense at the hot corner. He's also the cheapest of the three, but still has two years of team control remaining.
Boston still needs right-handed power, and Paredes offers that. Everybody said that Bregman would wear out the Green Monster last season, and Paredes will do so even more. Bregman's highest single-season pull% was 48.2 in 2021; last year, Parades had a career high 56.9% in Houston. He also plays good enough defense at third base, tallying -2 Outs Above Average for his career at the hot corner.
He will be the cheapest to acquire. He isn't going to require a massive contract like Bichette, and he isn't as valuable as Marte to trade for. Houston is facing an overabundance problem in their infield after trading for Carlos Correa at the trade deadline. With Correa now at third base, they have Jeremy Peña at short, Jose Altuve at second, and Christian Walker at first with no place for Paredes. That means the Sox might be able to acquire him for less because Houston is likely much more open to moving him.
He isn't the flashiest option, but he fits a need now. The Sox haven't shown a willingness to spend what is necessary to get Bichette, and have depleted their system too much to go get Marte. Paredes makes the most sense and keeps flexibility open down the road.