The Boston Red Sox have added a flurry of infielders in the past week, but that doesn’t mean Boston is done making moves as the offseason nears its end.
The Red Sox brought in three infielders recently (Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Brendan Rodgers, and Tsung-Che Cheng), but none of them figures to be an everyday player for the team next season. Despite Boston’s new additions, the team still seems to be in the market for another trade before the offseason ends.
The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney reported that the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs have an “ongoing dialogue” about potential trades, with 24-year-old third baseman Matt Shaw being identified as a possible option for Boston.
“Handed a job when Bregman picked the Boston Red Sox as a free agent last year, Shaw is currently slotted into a super-utility role,” Mooney wrote Sunday. “That is, unless the Cubs finish their offseason by trading Shaw to the Red Sox or another club looking for a promising third baseman. Given the many connections between their methodical front offices, the Cubs and Red Sox have an ongoing dialogue about players and roster needs. Shaw has been identified as a potential option for Boston’s plans to replace Bregman, and the Cubs are always willing to listen.
“For now, at least, the Cubs are publicly comparing Shaw to Javier Báez and Kris Bryant, pointing out the immense value those versatile players provided during the 2016 championship season. That World Series run may have never happened if the Cubs had moved Báez for a starting pitcher after his major-league debut in 2014 or at the 2015 trade deadline.”
The Red Sox bolstered their roster this offseason, but still have a void left in the infield after losing Alex Bregman. Despite bringing in multiple infielders, Boston could use an everyday player like Shaw. It will be interesting to see if the Red Sox are able to pull off another big move before the start of the season.
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