Craig Breslow’s offseason blueprint just took a hit. After watching Alex Bregman sign a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs, the Red Sox are left with a glaring hole at third base and some tough decisions ahead. The hot corner remains a top priority, and with Bregman off the board, Boston’s front office will need to get creative-whether that means dipping into the trade market or rolling the dice on a free agent.
Let’s start with the trade route, which might be Boston’s best shot at landing a meaningful upgrade. One name that could resurface is Ketel Marte.
The Diamondbacks had previously taken the switch-hitting second baseman off the trade market, but that was before Boston signed left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal. That move gives the Red Sox some flexibility to move a starting pitcher, and that could be enough to restart conversations with Arizona.
The idea would be to package one of Boston’s arms in a deal that brings Marte to Fenway. He’s a proven bat with positional versatility, and while he’s primarily a second baseman, the Red Sox could make it work depending on how the rest of the infield shakes out.
Another intriguing trade target? Nico Hoerner of the Cubs.
He’s not going to wow anyone with power, but his bat-to-ball skills are elite-he hit .297 last season and posted a 6.2 bWAR. Add in Gold Glove-caliber defense at second base, and you’ve got a player who could stabilize the infield and bring some much-needed consistency to the lineup.
Yes, he’s entering the final year of his contract, but Boston could look to extend him, similar to how they handled Garrett Crochet.
Then there’s Brendan Donovan, the versatile All-Star from St. Louis.
His name has been floated in trade talks, and there’s a natural connection here. Red Sox chief Craig Breslow has already swung two trades this winter with Cardinals president of baseball ops Chaim Bloom-yes, the same Bloom who once ran things in Boston.
Those deals brought Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Red Sox, so there’s clearly a working relationship in place. Donovan, with his ability to play multiple positions and get on base, would be a strong fit.
If the trade market doesn’t deliver, the free-agent pool offers a few options-but it’s thin.
Eugenio Suarez is the biggest name still out there. He matched his career-high with 49 home runs last season, which would certainly add some pop to a lineup that could use it.
But he also struck out 196 times and hit just .228. That’s the classic power-risk tradeoff, and at 34, he’s not exactly a long-term solution.
Beyond Suarez, the pickings get slim. Kike’ Hernandez is available and has the benefit of familiarity, having helped the Red Sox to an ALCS appearance in 2021. He brings energy, versatility, and postseason experience, but he’s more of a utility piece than a full-time third baseman.
Yoan Moncada is another name with Boston ties. He was once the crown jewel of the farm system before being sent to the White Sox in the Chris Sale deal. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued him in recent years, but there’s still some intrigue if the price is right.
And then there’s Jose Iglesias, who’s had multiple stints in Boston. At 36, he’s more of a depth piece than a starter, but he knows the organization and could provide a veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Internally, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell are the two prospects to watch. Mayer, one of Boston’s top young talents, played just 44 games last year before a wrist injury shut him down. He hit .228 with four homers in that stretch, and while the long-term plan has been to keep him at shortstop, a team source recently indicated that Mayer could be an option at third base-assuming the Red Sox don’t fill that spot externally.
As for Campbell, Boston still views him as a versatile defender who can handle second base and the outfield. But right now, the focus is on getting his bat right. The team wants to see more offensive consistency before expanding his role.
Bottom line: the Red Sox have options, but none of them are slam dunks. Whether it’s swinging a trade for a controllable infielder, taking a chance on a free agent with some pop, or promoting from within, Craig Breslow’s next move will be a telling one. The Bregman miss stings-but the offseason is far from over.