The Boston Red Sox are actively reshaping their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season, making significant moves to bolster their chances for success. The front office has brought in pitchers Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez to strengthen the starting rotation, along with seasoned infielders Willson Contreras and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. However, a pivotal need remains unaddressed: the vacancy at third base, left by the departure of Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Red Sox are eyeing potential trades with the Cubs to capitalize on their surplus of starting infielders. With Bregman now on Chicago’s roster, Boston is reportedly in discussions regarding the acquisition of Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw. With an extra outfielder to offer, they hope to secure a new infield asset from the Cubs.
“They’ve been listening in on star second baseman Nico Hoerner, who’s entering his walk year, and second-year infielder Matt Shaw, with Boston a possible fit since they are trying to improve their infield and have an extra outfielder,” Heyman writes.
Nico Hoerner was a defensive beast in 2025, leading all MLB second basemen with 17 Defensive Runs Saved and posting elite Outs Above Average while earning NL Gold Glove honors.
Red Sox need a 2B 👀 pic.twitter.com/XNtCnXQdPo
— SleeperRedSox (@SleeperRedSox) January 22, 2026
Hoerner’s value is peaking as he enters the final season of the three-year, $35 million extension he signed with the Cubs. Following an impressive 2025 season, he is a hot commodity. Shaw, on the other hand, had a solid rookie year showcasing his ability on both offense and defense, finishing among the top 10 for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
Nico Hoerner The Best Fit For Red Sox Needs, Says MLB Insider
Matt Healey from The Boston Globe suggests Hoerner is the ideal solution for the Red Sox’s infield dilemma. A potential trade for the Cubs’ All-Star aligns with the win-now approach that Red Sox president Craig Breslow has vowed to pursue this season.
“Is Red Sox’s best infield option paying up for Hoerner or Shaw? Cubs are listening. Cost would be high. Would take guts. Hoerner especially would be proof of Breslow’s ‘focus on ’26, not the future’ approach,” Healey tweeted.
Donovan is off the board. Paredes isn’t a great fit, nor was Suarez.
Is Red Sox’s best infield option paying up for Hoerner or Shaw? Cubs are listening. Cost would be high. Would take guts.
Hoerner especially would be proof of Breslow’s “focus on ’26, not the future” approach.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) February 2, 2026
In a standout year for Hoerner, he accumulated 6.1 bWAR while participating in 156 games with the Cubs during 2025. Despite limited power, hitting just seven home runs, he maintained an impressive batting line of .297/.345/.394 with a 114 OPS+. Additionally, he earned his second Gold Glove, confirming his status as one of the top defenders in the league at second base.
