The Red Sox made a move this offseason by signing veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year, $6 million deal. But if that signing was meant to signal the end of Boston’s infield shopping spree, think again.
According to reports, the Red Sox are still actively pursuing another infielder-one with more offensive upside than Kiner-Falefa, who’s long been known more for his glove than his bat. That’s a clear indication that Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow isn’t satisfied with the current state of the infield, and he’s not done reshaping this roster before Opening Day.
The message is clear: Kiner-Falefa isn’t being viewed as an everyday solution. Instead, he’s likely a versatile depth piece, someone who can cover multiple infield spots and bring steady defense, but not someone who’s going to anchor the lineup. That leaves the door wide open for a bigger swing-literally and figuratively.
Names like Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner have been floated in the rumor mill, and both would represent a significant offensive upgrade. But here’s the catch: the Cubs aren’t in any rush to deal either player.
Hoerner, in particular, is a cornerstone-type talent in Chicago, and prying him loose would take a massive offer. Shaw, a promising young infielder with a high ceiling, might be more attainable-but even that would require the Cubs to feel overwhelmed by the return.
There’s also the possibility that Chicago could extend Hoerner this spring, which would theoretically make Shaw more expendable. But as of now, there’s no concrete movement on that front. So while the Cubs and Red Sox might look like natural trade partners on paper, nothing appears imminent.
Boston’s search isn’t limited to Chicago, either. The Astros could be a potential match, with infielder Isaac Paredes-who had a breakout power season-emerging as a possible trade chip. But Houston’s front office has been reluctant to move the former Cub, especially given his offensive production and versatility.
And don’t count out the Diamondbacks. Ketel Marte has been a name floated in trade speculation, and Boston has reportedly shown interest in the past. Marte would bring switch-hitting pop and positional flexibility, but again, there’s no indication that a deal is close.
The bottom line? The Red Sox clearly know they need more.
After losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs earlier this offseason, the infield depth chart looks thinner than it should for a team with postseason aspirations. Kiner-Falefa is a start, but he’s not the solution.
Without a significant addition in the coming weeks, the frustration from Red Sox fans is only going to grow louder.
Breslow has time, but the clock is ticking. If Boston wants to keep pace in a tough AL East, they’ll need to make a move that goes beyond patchwork. The hunt for an impact infielder continues.
