Red Sox Best Trade Fit for Isaac Paredes, Rosenthal Says

The Red Sox’s latest roster move centers on Caleb Durbin’s arrival from Milwaukee and how the team’s infield could shake out this season. Boston might still consider a trade for Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes.

The Durbin deal seems to lock in much of Boston’s infield—Willson Contreras at first, Durbin at third, Trevor Story at short. Second base looks like a competition between Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Andruw Monasterio.

But questions linger about outfield depth, designated hitter at-bats, and whether Boston could add a big bat via a Paredes trade.

Durbin’s Arrival and the Red Sox Infield Plan

With Caleb Durbin now in the fold, Boston’s infield logic feels mostly settled on the surface. Willson Contreras slots in at first base, Durbin handles third, and Trevor Story anchors shortstop.

The second-base spot is still a revolving door, featuring Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Andruw Monasterio in different combinations. This setup gives Boston versatility, but it also pushes some players in and out of regular reps, especially at second base.

On the trade front, veteran MLB writer Ken Rosenthal floated Isaac Paredes as a logical target for Boston. He suggested that a deal could include Jarren Duran as a potential centerpiece.

Rosenthal pointed out that the two sides “have not been in recent contact” since the Durbin move. That detail hints the Red Sox might be weighing a ceiling-raising addition without disrupting the infield plan already in place.

Isaac Paredes: The Right-Handed Power Option Boston Might Consider

Isaac Paredes, 27, put up solid power last season with 20 homers in 102 games for Houston. His profile suggests Fenway Park could unlock even more pop.

Adding a right-handed slugger could balance a lineup that already leans left-handed and fill a gap in power. If Boston remade the infield with Durbin at second and Paredes at third, that could nudge Marcelo Mayer out of the everyday second-base mix and trigger more shifts across the infield.

Paredes’ presence could influence the broader roster philosophy. A stronger right-handed bat might help address some of Boston’s lineup gaps, especially if the team wants more thump at the top or middle of the order.

Still, the timing and chemistry of any deal would matter. Needs and rotations can shift fast during a season, and you never really know how it’ll play out until it does.

Position Battles and the Domino Effect

The Durbin upgrade complicates the infield dynamic. Placing Durbin at second and Paredes at third could push Marcelo Mayer out of regular second-base duty, creating another layer of competition for Boston as they sort out who starts where.

Meanwhile, the outfield logjam remains: Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu all factor into the mix. Trading Duran could clear room in the outfield and open more DH opportunities—benefiting Masataka Yoshida and giving Triston Casas, who’s recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, a pathway to at-bats later in the season.

Another wrinkle is what happens with Wilyer Abreu. Rosenthal reminded readers that Abreu isn’t part of a hypothetical Paredes deal; the Red Sox can’t rely on Abreu rejoining the roster in a swap, since he was dealt years earlier for Christian Vázquez.

Trade Talk Realities and What It Means for Boston

Looking at the bigger picture, the Durbin acquisition has quietly nudged Boston toward a specific infield direction. The possible Paredes pursuit still lingers, but it feels less likely right now.

Ken Rosenthal reports that Boston might circle back to Paredes if the market changes. The current deal’s layout, though, makes a simple swap trickier than it sounds.

So, does Boston risk shaking up its settled infield for a shot at a right-handed power bat? Paredes could absolutely thrive at Fenway and add some needed punch to the middle of the lineup, but there’s always a catch.

• Pros of pursuing Paredes: He’d bring right-handed power, give the lineup better balance, and maybe help Yoshida and Casas see better pitches late in the year.
• Cons of pursuing Paredes: He might throw off the infield plan set by Durbin, create a logjam with too many position changes, and make it tough for Mayer and others to get regular playing time.

Boston fans will want to keep an eye on how the team juggles outfield depth and DH at-bats. The infield situation could shift during spring training and into the regular season.

The Durbin deal doesn’t slam the door on Paredes entirely. Still, it hints that Boston might value infield stability a bit more than swinging for a trade that could get messier than anyone hopes.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rosenthal: Red Sox remain the ‘best fit’ as a trade suitor for Isaac Paredes