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Red Sox showing trade interest in pair of Cubs players.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to further bolster their roster.
Boston has been active on the trade front this offseason, as the Red Sox have been looking to build on their young, contending team. The Red Sox have already traded for the likes of Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Willson Contreras and have signed star left-hander Ranger Suarez.
However, Boston did lose Alex Bregman in free agency, so the Red Sox could still use another bat. Insider Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported that Boston has shown trade interest in Chicago Cubs infielders Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner.
“The Red Sox’ search for an infielder remains ongoing, but according to major league sources, there’s been little movement, particularly on the trade market, since the team signed starter Ranger Suárez,” Speier wrote. “There has been a sense in the industry that the Sox are now prioritizing defense (with solid on-base ability) ahead of power.
“Along those lines, the Cubs represent a potentially interesting trade match. With the signing of Alex Bregman, the Cubs have two-time Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner and second baseman/third baseman Matt Shaw, a strong solid defender who hit .226/.295/.394 with 13 homers and 17 steals as a rookie.”
Hoerner is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and could play second base or shortstop for the Red Sox. Shaw, meanwhile, is a third baseman who’s also a good defender, so both would fit in Boston.
Red Sox Could be a Match for Cubs Infielders
Although the Red Sox are one of many teams that have checked in on Shaw and Hoerner, Boston could make the most sense for them.
The Red Sox farm system has still been a solid one, and Speier believes Boston has the young pitchers to make a trade work for one of Shaw or Hoener.
“According to sources, the Cubs have been open to conversations on both, and the Sox are among the many teams that have checked in about the two players. Chicago doesn’t feel a need to move either player given the possibility of having Shaw, a23-year-old Worcester Academy alum whom the Cubs drafted in the first round in 2023, bounce between the infield and outfield in a super-utility role. Still, as the Cubs look to build short- and long-term rotation depth, the Sox do have the well-regarded young pitching to create a potential match.”
The Red Sox farm system currently ranks 10th in baseball, as MLB prospect analyst Keith Law has Boston’s system ranked in the third tier.
Boston Likely to Make Another Move
Despite the Red Sox already being aggressive this offseason, Boston may not be done.
MLB insider Jeff Passan said on Friday that Boston likely has another move in them.
“I think the Red Sox have another move in them, yes,” Passan said in a Q&A on Threads. “I’m not sure, even though they seem to match up with the Cubs, that there’s anything in the cards there. Still think Isaac Paredes would fit, but Houston could instead move Christian Walker.”
The Red Sox have the seventh-best odds of winning the World Series at +1700.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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