Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than two weeks, but the Boston Red Sox are staying busy as the offseason winds down.<\/p>\n
The Red Sox still have roster issues to solve<\/a>. Their outfield is overcrowded and their infield could use some help. They also have too many starting pitchers<\/a> and not enough relievers.<\/p>\n According to a new report for The Athletic<\/a> (subscription required) on Friday, team beat writer Jen McCaffrey writes that \u201cthe Red Sox have been \u2018active\u2019 in trade talks for an infielder,\u201d according to a team source. However, \u201cnothing is imminent.\u201d<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t surprising, as Boston has been linked to numerous infielders<\/a> in trade rumors over the last several weeks, from Ketel Marte and Nico Hoerner to Isaac Paredes and C.J. Abrams.<\/p>\n The Red Sox continue to receive calls on their pitching depth as they seek an infielder, a source noted, with Brayan Bello, Patrick Sandoval and Jordan Hicks among the names discussed. <\/p>\n That plus more notes herehttps:\/\/t.co\/TYKglZbsHg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Red Sox could use a third baseman to replace Alex Bregman and\/or an everyday second baseman, which they haven\u2019t had in quite some time. Marcelo Mayer could play either, but Boston would prefer to start him at the hot corner based on McCaffrey\u2019s report.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cA team source indicated a preference for Marcelo Mayer to start at third base over second base,\u201d McCaffrey writes. \u201cIf Mayer is the leading candidate at third base, the Red Sox may be targeting a strong defensive second baseman.\u201d<\/p>\n Craig Breslow expressed the desire for a strong defensive infielder<\/a> during Ranger Suarez\u2019s introductory press conference last week, as Boston now has several elite groundball pitchers in the starting rotation. That could rule out Paredes or Eugenio Suarez, both of whom are subpar defensively.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chicago Cubs\u2019 Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw remain as trade options, particularly after the Cubs signed Bregman,\u201d McCaffrey adds. \u201cBoth could provide strong defense at second base \u2014 particularly Hoerner, who posted 14 OAA last season at the position.\u201d<\/p>\n The Red Sox still have several options, but they\u2019re running out of time. As spring training approaches, the thought of Mayer at third and a Romy Gonzalez\/David Hamilton platoon at second becomes more likely<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t