The Red Sox made a small but intriguing move this week, claiming infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Nationals. It’s a low-risk addition that fills their 40-man roster - at least for now - and adds another layer to Boston’s ongoing effort to shore up infield depth and defense.
Cheng, 24, got his first taste of big league action last season with the Pirates, though it was a brief and quiet debut - seven plate appearances without a hit. His Triple-A numbers in 2025 weren’t much louder: a .207/.305/.267 slash line across 410 plate appearances, with just one home run. But there’s more to Cheng than the surface-level stats might suggest.
For starters, he brings speed and versatility - two traits the Red Sox have clearly been prioritizing under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Cheng swiped 20 bags last season despite a low on-base percentage, and he’s shown he can handle multiple spots on the infield, including shortstop, second, and third. That kind of flexibility is valuable, especially with a roster that’s still very much in flux.
Defensively, Cheng holds his own across the infield, and his instincts and range make him a solid depth piece. Offensively, while the power hasn’t shown up yet, Cheng has a strong feel for the strike zone. His 12.5% career walk rate in the minors speaks to a patient approach at the plate - something that could serve him well if he can start making more consistent contact.
Still, this move is more about potential than immediate impact. Cheng has a minor league option remaining, which gives the Sox the flexibility to stash him in Triple-A if he doesn’t break camp with the big club.
That’s likely the plan for now, especially with Boston reportedly finalizing a deal with veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Once that agreement becomes official, the Sox will need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster - and Cheng could be the odd man out if no other moves materialize.
It’s worth noting that Cheng has been on quite the offseason journey. In the span of a month, he’s gone from the Pirates to the Rays, to the Mets, to the Nationals, and now to the Red Sox.
That kind of movement suggests teams see something worth taking a chance on - even if they’re not fully ready to commit. Whether Boston becomes the team to give him a real shot remains to be seen.
For now, Cheng is a depth play with upside. He’s not expected to push for a starting job, but if he can unlock a bit more at the plate while continuing to flash his glove and speed, there’s a path for him to carve out a role - either as a bench piece or as a next-man-up option from Worcester. And in a long season, those kinds of players often prove more important than they initially seem.