4 possible infield additions for Red Sox after losing out on Bo Bichette

The Crimson Sox can cross off one other title who might probably assist their infield because the checklist continues to dwindle.

Bo Bichette agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract to affix the Mets on Friday, based on a number of stories. The Crimson Sox had been linked to the previous Blue Jays shortstop in current weeks, with rumors about Boston probably touchdown Bichette heating up within the aftermath of Alex Bregman’s departure.

However with Bichette off the board and Bregman now with the Cubs, the Crimson Sox’ choices to enhance their infield are beginning to turn into increasingly more restricted. The door has additionally been shut to accumulate Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte this offseason, The Boston Globe‘s Alex Speier reported Friday.

There are some methods, although, the Crimson Sox can nonetheless enhance their infield between now and Opening Day. So, let’s have a look at 4 doable choices for the Crimson Sox to enhance their infield.

Eugenio Suarez, 3B, free agent

Suarez looks as if essentially the most believable of the 5 choices, or not less than essentially the most simply attainable of the group as he’s nonetheless a free agent. The Crimson Sox have seen Suarez as a fallback possibility this offseason, placing a possible pursuit of him on the again burner as they tried to re-sign Bregman, Speier reported earlier this week.

If the Crimson Sox had been in a position to land Suarez, the 34-year-old right-handed hitter would possible slot in at third base and immediately turn into the workforce’s prime energy bat. His 49 homers this previous season had been the fifth-most in baseball. He’s additionally hit not less than 30 homers in six of the final seven seasons (2020 season excluded).

Suarez, although, is a bit growth or bust on the plate. He logged a .228 batting common between his stints with the Diamondbacks and Mariners in 2025. He’s hit under .250 in all however one season since 2020.

Nonetheless, Suarez would give the Crimson Sox’ lineup some much-needed pop and alleviate some strain off Roman Anthony. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projected earlier within the offseason that Suarez would wind up signing a two-year, $45 million contract in free agency.

Nico Hoerner, 2B, Cubs

Perhaps the Crimson Sox and Cubs can swap infielders following Chicago’s determination to signal Bregman? The Cubs have a little bit of an infield glut after the transfer, with Hoerner probably being the reasonable odd man out, as he’s solely beneath workforce management for yet one more season.

Hoerner has turn into the main target of some commerce rumors because the Bregman signing as properly. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer additionally didn’t completely shut down the possibility of buying and selling Hoerner when he spoke with reporters on Thursday. The New York Put up‘s Jon Heyman floated the possibility that the Crimson Sox might make a run for Hoerner, too.

Hoerner, 28, doesn’t have the ability Suarez has, failing to hit greater than 10 residence runs in a single season. However he’s a way more well-rounded participant. Hoerner’s .297 batting common this previous season was the fourth time in his profession he’s hit not less than .280. He additionally logged 29 stolen bases in 2025, which was really the fewest he’s had since 2022. He had 43 stolen bases in 2023 and 31 in 2024.

The righty also can get extra-base hits, logging not less than 25 doubles in every of the final three seasons. Simply as importantly, Hoerner’s probably the greatest fielding second basemen within the league. He’s gained a Gold Glove in two of the final three seasons, along with his 15 Outs Above Common rating twelfth in all of baseball final season.

Isaac Paredes, 3B, Astros

The Crimson Sox have additionally been linked to Paredes in current weeks, and Boston has been speaking to Houston concerning the standout third baseman, according to Heyman.

Paredes, a 26-year-old right-handed hitter, has a little bit of an analogous hitting profile to current Crimson Sox acquisition Willson Contreras. He hit .254 with 20 homers, 53 RBIs, and a .809 OPS in 102 video games final season. Paredes averaged roughly 23 homers per season within the three seasons previous to that when he was with the Rays and Cubs, logging a .234 batting common and a .776 OPS throughout that point.

The Astros obtained Paredes because the headline participant of their commerce of star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs final offseason, and he nonetheless has two years left of workforce management. So, you’d think about that the price for Paredes wouldn’t come low cost, if the Astros are prepared to commerce him in any respect.

A commerce with the Mets

Just like the Cubs after the Bregman deal, the Mets’ addition of Bichette has created a little bit of a logjam within the infield. Bichette, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, and Jorge Polanco appear in line to be New York’s on a regular basis starters within the infield, leaving younger gamers like Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Luisangel Acuna in flux.

On prime of that, the Mets have a transparent want for outfield assist as they lack established outfield manufacturing outdoors of Juan Soto. So, the Crimson Sox and Mets is perhaps pure commerce companions as Boston’s but to commerce from its outfield glut this offseason.

Baty and Vientos are in all probability the extra pure choices for the Crimson Sox out of the gamers who may very well be the odd males out for the Mets. The 2 26-year-olds cut up third base obligation for the Mets final season, with Baty doubling as a second baseman and Vientos sometimes being New York’s designated hitter.

Baty would give the Crimson Sox one other left-handed hitter, which isn’t perfect, however he hit .254 with 18 homers and a .748 OPS in 130 video games final season. He’s additionally an above-average fielder, rating within the seventieth percentile amongst all fielders in Outs Above Common.

Vientos, in the meantime, is a right-handed hitter with some pop. He had 27 homers in 2024 earlier than hitting 17 homers in 121 video games final season. He’s additionally logged a .250 batting common and a .769 OPS over the past two seasons, however Vientos isn’t a superb fielder. His minus-seven Outs Above Common was among the many worst in baseball final season.

Each Baty and Vientos are free brokers by the tip of the last decade. So, the Mets don’t essentially must eliminate them by any means. However buying and selling both of them for Jarren Duran or one other one of many Crimson Sox’s outfielders would seemingly make sense for each side.