The Boston Red Sox are making headlines yet again as their offseason heats up, with a series of bold moves and aggressive trade talks that signal a clear intent: this club isn’t content to stand still. On February 9, 2026, ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news that the Red Sox are acquiring third baseman Caleb Durbin in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal sees left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison headlining a three-player package bound for Milwaukee, a move that has Red Sox fans buzzing as pitchers and catchers prepare to report to spring training in Fort Myers, Florida.
Durbin, just 25 years old, is coming off a breakout season that saw him finish third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He posted a .256 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, and slugged .387, adding 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases to his resume. While he’s primarily a third baseman, Durbin’s versatility has seen him log innings at shortstop and second base as well, offering Boston valuable flexibility in the infield. His defense at the hot corner has drawn praise, and his speed on the basepaths could inject some much-needed dynamism into the Red Sox lineup.
But Durbin isn’t the only name on chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s radar. According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox remain heavily engaged in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs, eyeing infielders Nico Hoerner and Massachusetts native Matt Shaw. Both players have their own unique appeal—and potential complications.
Hoerner, a contact-first infielder, is entering the final year of his contract. Over seven seasons, he’s established himself as a .282 career hitter, and in 2025 he posted an impressive .297 average with seven home runs, 61 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases. A back-to-back Gold Glove winner, Hoerner would likely slot in at second base, pairing with Trevor Story to form a formidable double-play duo. His profile as a reliable defender and table-setter with speed is exactly what the Red Sox have been seeking to lengthen their lineup and shore up the middle infield. However, with the Cubs recently signing Alex Bregman and pushing hard for a playoff run, it’s unclear whether they’re truly willing to part with Hoerner. “Does trading away Hoerner really help them do that?” one report mused, highlighting the uncertainty around Chicago’s willingness to move a key contributor.
Then there’s Matt Shaw, a 24-year-old rookie who finished ninth in National League Rookie of the Year voting last season. Shaw, a former top prospect and Massachusetts native, hit .226 with 13 home runs across 393 major league at-bats in his debut campaign. He’s under team control through 2031, making him a tantalizing long-term option for Boston. The Cubs, however, are facing a crowded infield with Bregman, Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson all in the mix. This logjam could make Shaw more available, especially if the Cubs decide to maximize his trade value now. Still, acquiring Shaw would come at a steep price, and the Red Sox must weigh whether it signals a lack of confidence in their own former Top 100 prospect, Kristian Campbell.
The trade talks with the Cubs have reportedly included outfielder Jarren Duran as a potential piece moving the other way, but left-handed prospect Connelly Early has not been discussed. The Red Sox are among the “two or three most serious suitors for a Chicago infielder,” according to Speier, underscoring just how aggressive Boston is being as they look to reshape their roster before spring training kicks off.
But wait—there’s more. The Red Sox have also been actively pursuing Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes, a 26-year-old two-time All-Star with a reputation for power and a bat that could play perfectly at Fenway Park. Paredes, who debuted in 2020 with the Detroit Tigers and has since played for the Rays, Cubs, and Astros, owns a career .237 batting average with 92 home runs and 287 RBIs. He’s posted double-digit home run totals in each of the last four seasons and remains under team control for two more years. Paredes’ dead-pull approach at the plate has made him a favorite among analysts who see him peppering Fenway’s Green Monster with extra-base hits. However, his defensive ratings have been less favorable, making him a potentially imperfect fit if Boston prioritizes glove work at third base.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome, the Red Sox were involved in serious discussions about a three-way trade that would have sent Paredes to Boston and utilityman Brendan Donovan to Houston. That deal ultimately fell through, with Donovan landing in Seattle instead, but Boston remains one of at least five teams—including the Pittsburgh Pirates—engaged with the Astros about Paredes’ availability. The Pirates, for their part, are also seeking a third base upgrade after missing out on free-agent Eugenio Suárez.
All of these moves and rumors come against the backdrop of the Red Sox’s loss of Alex Bregman to the Cubs in free agency earlier this offseason, a blow that left a gaping hole at third base and put added pressure on Breslow and his staff to find a suitable replacement. The clock is ticking, with Red Sox pitchers and catchers set to report to Fort Myers this week. The urgency is palpable, and Boston’s front office is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of a right-handed infielder who can play sharp defense and add thump to the lineup. As Tim Healey of the Boston Globe put it, “That type of player may well be a unicorn at this point in the offseason.”
Despite the challenges, the Red Sox’s efforts to land Durbin, Hoerner, Shaw, or Paredes show a clear commitment to upgrading the infield and keeping pace in a fiercely competitive American League East. The front office’s willingness to part with significant assets—such as Kyle Harrison, a prized left-hander—signals that Boston is intent on making a splash, not just for 2026, but for years to come.
As the baseball world turns its attention to Fort Myers and the start of spring training, one thing is certain: the Red Sox are in the thick of the action, working the phones and weighing every option. Whether another blockbuster move materializes before the first pitch of spring remains to be seen, but the club’s aggressive posture and recent acquisition of Caleb Durbin have already set the tone for an offseason defined by ambition and urgency. Stay tuned—this Red Sox roster is far from finished.