In the wake of their early pitching additions, the Boston Red Sox have announced they’ll finially pivot their attention to adding to their streaky, power-hungry offense. Top tier sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso have come off the free agent big board, but the Red Sox are still taking their time courting seemingly every possible infield option on the free agent and trade market.
Boston has kicked the tires on former Toronto Blue Jay Bo Bichette’s market, but it’s backed off since it considered his asking price too high. The latest update from his team could change the way the Red Sox see his fit with their team.
Bichette is without a doubt the top shortstop available this offseason, despite his history of rocky defense there (he was the worst defensive shortstop in the league last year and his -13 outs above average ranked in the first percentile). The infielder has told interested teams that he’d be willing to move to second base so he’d be more valuable on both sides of the ball.
Bichette would be a better fit for the Red Sox as a second baseman than a shortstop for a few reasons. Boston has already committed to Trevor Story as its shortstop for 2026 and it has Marcelo Mayer waiting in the wings (if he doesn’t need to play third base, which may happen if Alex Bregman signs elsewhere).
Bo Bichette telling interested teams he’s willing to play second base is great news for Red Sox
The Sox haven’t had a consistent second baseman since Dustin Pedroia’s career-altering injury in 2017. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has already given a good hint that the second baseman of the future won’t be Kristian Campbell, who struggled there in his rookie season and whom Breslow sees as more comfortable in the outfield.
Boston has checked in with the Arizona Diamondbacks to potentially make a trade for Ketel Marte, one of, if not the best second basemen in the game. The D-Backs seem determined to land Mayer in a deal, which the Red Sox are trying to avoid.
If the Sox can’t reach a deal with the Diamondbacks for Marte, Bichette is a more than capable option at the keystone, where he played for the first time in his big league career during the World Series. Boston has refused to seriously pursue free agents over the age of 30, and Bichette will turn 28 just before Opening Day — he could be the only top-tier free agent for whom the front office is willing to pursue a long-term deal.
Bichette is probably still out of the Red Sox’s price range, but his willingness to move to second base should convince them to give him another look. Bichette was the Blue Jays’ best bat last season, and adding a consistent righty second baseman to the Sox’s lineup would be an excellent way to kill two birds with one stone.