Even throughout their pursuit of Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox kept their eye on the infield trade market. They're still assessing their options over a week after Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs.
But time is running out, and everyone is feeling it. Top free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette have come off the market in quick succession and longtime Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta has been traded, all in the same week.
The Red Sox's trade pursuits may soon come to an end. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported on January 21 that Boston is "involved in serious trade talks all over the place" to add to its infield group. Cotillo did not specify which players the Sox may be looking into and he said there's no timeline for if or when any decisions are expected to be made.
As spring training nears, teams are making their final moves or pulling their players off the trade block to focus on their own roster construction, so it'd be wise for the Red Sox to make their final additions soon. Ketel Marte has already been removed as an Arizona Diamondbacks trade candidate and other targets will disappear as clubs shift their focus to winning this coming season.
Red Sox insider says Boston is in 'serious trade talks' to address position player group
Boston has been linked to seemingly every infielder available at one time or another. Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is the latest trade fixation in some fans' minds since he can play third base and his pull hitting ability will play well in front of the Green Monster.
Cubs Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw have also been thrown out as options — a trade for Hoerner, one of the best all-around second basemen in the league, makes more sense for Boston's needs, but he'll be expensive despite the single year of team control remaining on his contract. There's also no confirmation Chicago is willing to move either player.
Brendan Donovan, yet another St. Louis Cardinal, could also be in the picture. He bats lefty and doesn't hit for power — the Red Sox need a righty slugger above all else — but he can slot in at second base and play decent defense.
The use of the term "serious talks" is usually only broken out when a deal nears completion, but Cotillo was clear that he has no sense of a timeline on any of the negotiations in which the Sox are involved. Hopefully, his assessment of the status of Boston's talks is correct because it needs to act quickly to complete its roster.