As we discussed yesterday, the Boston Red Sox signing infield utility-man Isiah Kiner-Falefa does not mean, on its face, that the Red Sox are finished trying to improve their infield. He’s not THAT kind of player. But the fact that they paid handsomely to bring him in as depth ($6 million plus incentives) tells me that they do not have a lot of confidence that they will actually be able to get a bigger, better deal done before the season starts.
With respect to the Chicago Cubs, my take was that the unlikelihood is even stronger, given that the Cubs are not sellers. They do not have to move either of Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw. They feel no pressure to get a deal done. Whatever the Red Sox do with respect to IKF or any other infielder, it simply does not impact the Cubs whatsoever on this front. Either the Red Sox come up with a bonkers offer that the Cubs absolutely cannot refuse, or the Cubs happily go into the season with their beloved star second baseman in place, and their young, controlled, high-upside talent in the utility role.
All that said, the Red Sox are likely to keep trying – with the Cubs, or maybe with other clubs. They have a roster that can clearly compete and is designed to win now, and they have this massive, obvious cap in their talent on the infield.
From Sean McAdam:
“For openers, we’re unsure of where Kiner-Falefa will play and/or how often. Both are important qualifiers.
If, for instance, the Red Sox intend to play Kiner-Falefa regularly at either second or third base, it can reasonably be said that the move was a disappointing one ….
Fortunately, there’s evidence to suggest that the Red Sox do not, in fact, see Kiner-Falefa as anything close to an everyday player. Industry sources indicate the team is still very much in the market for another infielder, presumably one with far more offensive upside.”
Instant reaction when I saw that, to be honest, is that it made me wonder if the Red Sox are actually pushing harder to acquire Isaac Paredes from the Astros or Ketel Marte from the Diamondbacks, each of whom would represent “far more offensive upside” than what Boston has available in those spots now. Were it the Cubs being referenced, it’s a little harder to say that would be Matt Shaw (potential, sure, but not sure you’d “buy” him for his bat in 2026) or maybe even Nico Hoerner (who is an above-average offensive player, but not necessarily an impact bat – most of his value comes from his elite glove).
Stepping back from my instant reaction, though, I think I probably shouldn’t ignore that word “presumably” in there. I’m sure anyone speaking generically about this situation would say the Red Sox presumably want to bring in someone who can upgrade the offense AND the defense, which all of Paredes, Marte, Hoerner, and Shaw could conceivably do. There are probably other irons in the fire, too.
So, then, I stick to my story that a deal with the Cubs feels increasingly unlikely, even if the Red Sox have plenty of incentive to keep trying to make something happen.
The ultimate outcome here, if there’s a trade at all, sure feels like it’s going to be Isaac Paredes. The Astros would love to trade Christian Walker instead, but I see no way for that to happen, and I think they are an organization that would value the huge trade return for Paredes more than keeping him as depth.
Hence then, the article about more reporting that the red sox still want to acquire another infielder was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( More Reporting That the Red Sox Still Want to Acquire Another Infielder )
Also on site :