Boston Red Sox
“A deal constructed around Jarren Duran should remain within reach.”
Isaac Paredes was linked to the Red Sox throughout the offseason. AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File
After the Red Sox opened spring training with Jarren Duran still on the roster, it looked as though an endless stream of trade rumors regarding the dynamic outfielder were destined to quiet down.
For all of the discourse of Boston looking at infield options like Ketel Marte in order to replace Alex Bregman’s production in the lineup, the Red Sox ultimately opted to trade for Caleb Durbin last month. The former Brewers lineup regular is expected to slot in at third base moving forward.
Boston’s infield is seemingly set moving forward with Willson Contreras (first base), Durbin (third base), Trevor Story (shortstop), and some combination/platoon of Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Andruw Monasterio earning reps at second.
But, could Boston potentially revisit trade talks with the Astros, who are struggling to find a spot on their infield for talented third baseman Isaac Paredes?
According to longtime MLB writer Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox remain as a logical fit in a trade centered around Paredes — with Duran standing as a viable chip in that potential swap.
“The Red Sox, even after acquiring Caleb Durbin from Milwaukee, still look like the best fit for Paredes — they could play him at third and Durbin at second without needing to rely on Marcelo Mayer,” Rosenthal wrote. “The Astros are not getting back Wilyer Abreu, whom they traded in 2022 for catcher Christian Vázquez.
“A deal constructed around Jarren Duran should remain within reach. By moving Duran, the Red Sox would create DH at-bats for Masataka Yoshida and eventually Triston Casas, who could return in May from a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee.”
However, Rosenthal added that the Red Sox and Astros “have not been in recent contact” since Boston acquired Durbin.
Bringing in a right-handed pull hitter like Paredes would be a welcome addition for a Red Sox team that is still facing questions over whether they have enough power in their lineup.
Paredes, 27, hit 20 home runs and 102 games last season with Houston and could be in line for a power surge if he played most of his games at Fenway Park.
Moving on from Duran would also solve Boston’s logjam in the outfield, as the Red Sox currently have four established players between Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu for only three starting spots.
That would mean that one of Duran or Anthony would likely have to log most of their reps at DH this season, barring another trade. As Rosenthal noted, freeing up that DH spot could open the door for a player like Yoshida or Casas (if healthy) to settle into that role moving forward — with a resurgent season from Casas also giving Boston another power boost.
But, a trade for Paredes at this stage of MLB’s calendar would create another potential logjam. If Durbin slots to second and Paredes settles in at third base, it would also block Mayer from regular reps at second moving forward.
As tempting as it might be for Boston to revisit talks for an intriguing talent like Paredes, the Red Sox seemingly made their call with their infield with the Durbin deal.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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