The Boston Red Sox may be in the mix to trade for a star infielder this offseason.
The Red Sox have already addressed the majority of their pitching needs this offseason, but still need to make additions in the field. Alex Bregman’s free agency decision will be a major factor in who Boston will target this offseason. The Red Sox could use a first baseman, but if Bregman walks in free agency, more question marks arise in the rest of the infield.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Red Sox have “checked in” on 32-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte’s availability and are one of the teams that could satisfy the Diamondbacks’ pitching needs in a trade.
“The biggest star who is a realistic candidate to be traded is Ketel Marte,” Nightengale wrote Sunday. “He comes with a relatively modest contract ($92 million) and is under control through 2031. The D-backs however, believe now is the tie to sever ties, and are in desperate need for pitching. The Red Sox, Rays and Tigers have all checked in, with each having the pitching depth to satisfy the D-backs’ needs.”
Boston’s infield includes Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer currently, but if the team is unable to come to terms with Bregman, Meyer could be moved over to third base to open up second base for a potential trade for Marte.
Marte is a three-time All-Star and is on a six-year, $116 million contract. The 32-year-old slugger slashed .283/.376/.517 while mashing 28 home runs and driving in 72 runs this season and would be a great addition to the Red Sox’s infield.
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