Alex Bregman is on the move again – and once more, he’s done it with a flair for offseason drama. After a drawn-out free agency saga last winter that ended with him landing in Boston, Bregman hit the open market again and this time inked a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. That’s a major shift not just for the Cubs, who get a proven veteran at third base, but also for the Red Sox, who now find themselves staring at a glaring hole on the left side of their infield.

Boston’s front office knew this was a possibility, but that doesn’t make the reality any easier: replacing Bregman’s glove and bat won’t be simple. The Red Sox now have a decision to make – pursue a high-priced free agent or explore the trade market for a more cost-effective solution. And right now, one name is starting to gain traction in league circles: Isaac Paredes.

Paredes, currently with the Astros, may not be the flashiest name out there, but he fits the mold of what Boston needs – a steady, contact-driven hitter with solid defensive chops and a team-friendly contract. While Houston would ideally prefer to move off Christian Walker and his hefty salary, it’s Paredes who holds more value on the trade market. He’s younger, cheaper, and coming off a strong 2025 campaign that showcased his growth as a hitter.

Let’s talk numbers. Paredes struck out just 17.4% of the time last season while walking at an 11.4% clip – both marks that speak to his disciplined approach at the plate.

Compare that to a potential free-agent option like Eugenio Suárez, who’s likely to cost Boston upwards of $20 million per year and posted a 29.8% strikeout rate with only a 7% walk rate. That’s a big gap in offensive reliability, especially for a team looking to stabilize its lineup.

From Houston’s perspective, this is a classic case of roster crunch. After acquiring Carlos Correa last summer, the Astros now have a logjam in the infield.

With Correa, Walker, and Paredes all vying for playing time – and with Yordan Alvarez locked in at DH – there simply aren’t enough at-bats to go around. And when you’re paying a combined $60 million to that trio, efficiency matters.

Astros GM Dana Brown has publicly maintained that the team values Paredes and has a plan to make the infield rotation work. But the math doesn’t lie.

If Boston comes calling with a strong offer – especially one loaded with prospect capital – it would be hard for Houston to ignore. Between Walker’s $40 million contract and Paredes’ rising trade value, the decision isn’t difficult.

One player is movable. The other?

Not so much.

For the Red Sox, this is a chance to pivot quickly and smartly. Paredes won’t replace Bregman’s star power, but he could bring much-needed stability and offensive efficiency to a lineup that just lost one of its cornerstones. And for the Astros, it’s an opportunity to clear the logjam and restock the farm system in one move.

Bottom line: Boston needs a third baseman. Houston has one to spare. The pieces are there – now it’s just a matter of who picks up the phone first.