Alex Cora (Image Credit: Getty Images)

MLB Insider Links The Boston Red Sox To Two Infielders As Spring Training Closes In

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 8:06 AM ET

Last year, the Boston Red Sox created a major conundrum after signing Alex Bregman to play third base, as Rafael Devers refused to take a new role as the first baseman. Yet, neither of the two is playing in Boston anymore. Therefore, the Red Sox still have holes to fill in their infield even after adding Willson Contreras and, just recently, Isiah Kiner-Falefa during the offseason.

J.P. Morosi of MLB.com stated the Boston Red Sox have Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes and Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner on their radar as top trade targets. He feels the Astros could trade Paredes after signing a pre-arbitration deal with him. The Cubs may also decide to trade Hoerner since he becomes a free agent after the 2026 season.

“I’d put Isaac Paredes in there with Nico Hoerner as being the two significant trade options for the coming days,” Morosi told MLB Network. “Paredes signed a one-year deal with a club option for his next year. So there’s some cost certainty there. Hoerner, as we know, is getting closer to free agency in Chicago. And the one team that’d certainly have interest and need for either one of them—Paredes or Hoerner—would be the Boston Red Sox.”

"The one team that would certainly have interest and need for either Paredes or Hoerner would be the Boston Red Sox…"

– @jonmorosi on #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/gzyZ5dB0B8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 4, 2026

Paredes signed a one-year, $9.35 million deal for 2026 with the Astros to avoid arbitration. It also includes a $13.35 million club option for next season, which will become mutual if he finishes in the top 10 in the MVP voting. Meanwhile, Hoerner is in the final season of his three-year, $35 million extension with the Cubs.

Nico Hoerner Better Fit for the Red Sox Than Isaac Paredes

Nico Hoerner (Image Credits: Imagn)

As per MLB insider J.P. Morosi, there is a greater possibility for the Chicago Cubs to trade Nico Hoerner rather than the Houston Astros dealing Isaac Paredes this offseason. Morosi also says Hoerner makes a better fit in Boston than Paredes. He believes the skill set of the Cubs infielder will match the tactical philosophy of Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

“Nico Hoerner is an Alex Cora type of player. If there’s going to be a trade for Boston, I’d say Hoerner is the better fit. Of course, the price tag is still going to be high because the Cubs like him, too,” Morosi said. “More likely Hoerner than Paredes, to watch in the days ahead.”

The market value of Hoerner is at an all-time high after posting the best campaign of his seven-year MLB career in 2025. He produced 6.2 bWAR last year after playing at least 150 games for a third straight season, although a good chunk of it was accumulated from his glovework. With the bat, he had a .297/.345/.394 slash line and a 114 OPS+ despite getting just seven home runs.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: