Sports
Caleb Durbin Trade: Red Sox Target 2 Key Rookies
Table of Contents
The New Primary Target: Caleb Durbin
The buzz ignited when ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Red Sox are working to acquire the 25-year-old third baseman. Caleb Durbin, who finished third in the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year voting, is exactly the type of versatile, cost-controlled player the Sox are seeking. He slashed .256/.334/.387 last season with 11 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and played solid defense at third base while also seeing time at shortstop and second.
The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier confirmed the serious interest, citing multiple industry sources. Durbin represents a specific profile: a young, athletic player with team control remaining who can contribute immediately. His rookie campaign showed a promising blend of modest power, speed, and defensive flexibility—assets that are highly valuable in today’s game.
A Wider Net: Cubs’ Infielders in the Mix
But Durbin isn’t the only rookie standout on Breslow’s radar. Speier also reports the Red Sox remain actively engaged with the Chicago Cubs regarding two other infielders: veteran Nico Hoerner and another rookie, Matt Shaw. Shaw, a Massachusetts native, finished ninth in the same NL Rookie of the Year voting.
The Cubs face a decision. After signing Alex Bregman, their infield is crowded. They must choose between dealing a player like Hoerner, who is a defensive stalwart but has an average offensive track record and is a free agent after 2026, or trading Shaw, who comes with six years of team control. Speier notes the Red Sox are considered “among the two or three most serious suitors” for a Cubs infielder, indicating these talks are more than just casual inquiry.
The Elusive “Perfect” Fit
What exactly are the Red Sox looking for? Boston Globe reporter Tim Healey describes the ideal target as “a right-handed infielder who plays sharp defense and actually adds to the lineup.” He acknowledges this player is a “unicorn” at this stage of the offseason. The available options, including Hoerner and Houston’s Isaac Paredes, each come with caveats, making the pursuit of the well-rounded Durbin particularly logical.
A Failed Three-Way Deal Reveals Aggressive Stance
The seriousness of Boston’s hunt was further underlined by a report from Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic. They revealed the Red Sox were recently part of serious discussions for a complex three-way trade that would have sent Houston’s Isaac Paredes to Boston. That deal, which also involved utilityman Brendan Donovan going to the Astros, ultimately fell apart, with Donovan landing in Seattle instead.
Despite that setback, Rosenthal and Rome confirm that Boston remains one of at least five teams negotiating with the Astros for Paredes, a powerful bat whose right-handed swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park’s Green Monster, even if his defense is a concern.
The Clock is Ticking in Fort Myers
One element adds intense pressure to these negotiations: time. Red Sox pitchers and catchers have already reported to spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. The full squad will follow shortly. Every day that passes without a deal makes integrating a new player more disruptive. This urgency likely fuels the simultaneous conversations with the Brewers about Caleb Durbin, the Cubs about Hoerner and Shaw, and the Astros about Paredes.
For Red Sox fans longing for a significant move, the coming days are critical. The connection to Caleb Durbin signals a clear focus on youth and upside. Whether it’s Durbin, a Cub, or an Astro, the Red Sox front office is demonstrating a proactive, multi-front effort to address the club’s most glaring need before the team finishes unpacking in Florida.