MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Poised To Trade for 'Big-Time Player'

The Boston Red Sox lost out on a couple of big free agent targets in Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso. But they are by no means giving up on their goal of beefing up their batting order.

And if they can't get their own key free agent, Alex Bregman, re-signed (and hope is fading on that front), then they've got some other big trade targets they're looking at, and are adamant to land at least one of them.

Chris Cotillo of MassLive joined the crew on MLB Network and suggested their Bregman-Pivot plans include four big names on the infield:

Is a huge Red Sox trade brewing?@ChrisCotillo chimes in on #MLBNHotStove ⬇️ https://t.co/ZiffzKBKDS pic.twitter.com/oyLbM51ILb
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 16, 2025

Cotillo says the BoSox have been in trade talks over the past week for all of these infield stars:

Isaac Paredes, 3B, Houston Astros
Brendan Donovan, UTIL, St. Louis Cardinals
Willson Contreras, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Ketel Marte, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks

And that's without even mentioning their interest in free agent Bo Bichette.

"They're aiming for these big-time position players... I think Marte is the perfect fit for them," said Cotillo. "He's a complete player, he's gonna be good defensively, he's going to give you some power. Having said that, it's going to cost a lot (to trade for him)."

Additionally, there are plenty of other teams who will be taking a big run at Marte, if the 3-time All-Star is indeed available for trade.

Boston can cast a wide net, as it basically has needs at each and every infield position, save shortstop, where Trevor Story will return.

At third, Bregman's status for a potential return is up in the air as a free agent; at second, they still have Ceddanne Rafaela penciled in for next spring, even though his best position is CF; and at 1B, Tristan Casas is coming back from a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon last May. He may or may not be ready by Opening Day, and even if he is, his ability to perform on the field after such a devastating injury is unknown.