Will another slugger come to town for the Boston Red Sox before Spring Training rolls around?<\/p>\n
Options are dwindling with guys like Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette off the market and Boston has a need at either second base or third base. One intriguing slugger who could be a potential option is Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes. Jon Heyman of the New York Post<\/a> reported that Boston has spoken to the Astros about the slugger. <\/p>\n If you like our content,\u00a0choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n Earlier in the week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic<\/a> noted that the Astros “would jump” at the chance to land outfielder Jarren Duran. <\/p>\n The Red Sox should be all over Isaac Paredes<\/p>\n “Furthering that idea, a team source indicated there\u2019s still an opportunity to trade from the crowded outfield at this point in the offseason,” McCaffrey wrote. “Duran seems the likeliest to be traded, given his $7.7 million salary for 2026 and the fact he\u2019s the oldest of the group while still possessing tools such as speed and power that teams covet. Earlier in the offseason, I would have said a 75 percent chance Duran is on the Opening Day roster; now I\u2019m thinking it\u2019s closer to a 50 percent chance…<\/p>\n “Meanwhile, Houston would jump at a chance to acquire Duran in exchange for Isaac Paredes. Though Paredes has decent power with a 115 OPS+ in his career, his defense is below average, so that might be less enticing.”<\/p>\n If the Astros are seriously considering dealing Paredes, he would be the best remaining option for Boston. He’s someone with 30-home run power and who can play each infield position. Plus, he’s right-handed, which Boston desperately needs.<\/p>\n Paredes also is just 26 years old and has two seasons of control left<\/a>. Boston has a surplus of outfielders. Arguably, a Duran-for-Paredes swap would be a lot for Boston to give up. If Houston added a bit more, or the Red Sox could get a deal done with another piece, it would make sense. <\/p>\n Regardless, Paredes is the guy to target now. <\/p>\n