The Boston Red Sox are seemingly "in" on almost every infield free agent or trade candidate that would help them improve on either side of the ball this offseason. The Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte seemed like the most interesting trade offering at this point, but another has entered the mix in the middle of the Winter Meetings.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reiterated Boston's interest in Marte in his December 9 Winter Meetings preview, but also that its checked in on Houston Astros corner infielder Isaac Paredes (subscription required).
Rosenthal noted that the Red Sox's primary target still seems to be Alex Bregman after his first season with the club was successful. They also have no internal options at third base after the Rafael Devers trade — Marcelo Mayer played well at the hot corner as a stand-in for Bregman while he was injured in May and June, but he's a natural shortstop, and his inexperienced defense would defeat the point of swapping Devers for Bregman in the first place.
Rosenthal believes Paredes would play first base for the Red Sox if Bregman returns, but didn't mention his predicted position if Bregman doesn't re-sign with Boston. The Astros reportedly seek starting pitching this offseason and Rosenthal mentioned their interest in Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. The Red Sox have more than just he two of them to give, though — Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison or Hunter Dobbins could also be on the trade block.
Red Sox linked to yet another infield trade candidate in Astros' Isaac Paredes
Unlike Marte, Paredes is on a short, two-year contract and could be much easier to trade for. The Red Sox have plenty of starting pitching depth they could move, along with an outfield logjam they need to clear.
Paredes slashed .254/.352/.458 with an .810 OPS, 15 doubles, a triple, 20 home runs and 53 RBI over 102 games with the Astros in 2025. It was one of the best offensive years of his career so far (although his season was quite short due to a hamstring strain), only rivaled by 2023 when he posted an .840 OPS and mashed 24 doubles and 31 homers. Paredes is capable of providing some of the home run power the Red Sox need in their lineup, but a slugger like Alonso would still be preferred among fans.
According to the latest reports, Boston's top priority remains re-signing Bregman, but Kyle Schwarber's $30 million AAV deal could raise the third baseman's asking price out of the front office's comfortable range. But the Red Sox need to be willing to get uncomfortable to become more competitive.