The Boston Red Sox are running short on time to add an infielder before spring training begins. Under Craig Breslow, the club appeared focused on reuniting with Alex Bregman, but those plans were derailed when the Chicago Cubs landed him, forcing Boston to regroup. Matters worsened when another top infield option reportedly came off the board Friday, as Bo Bichette agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.
While it feels like a reset for the Red Sox, there may still be a path forward. The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey suggested Boston could revisit veteran infielder Ketel Marte. She noted that although the Arizona Diamondbacks had recently pulled Marte off the trade market, that decision came before the Red Sox signed Suárez, a move that may give them greater flexibility to deal from their pitching depth. According to McCaffrey, Boston could potentially sway Arizona with an expanded trade package, especially since the Diamondbacks are known to have interest in players such as Jarren Duran and Payton Tolle or Connelly Early.
A deal sending Duran and a pitcher to Arizona could benefit both sides. For the Diamondbacks, it would strengthen the rotation while adding an impact bat to the lineup. For the Red Sox, acquiring Marte would address a major infield need and help alleviate their crowded outfield situation.
Even though Arizona recently indicated Marte was no longer available, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s untouchable. Rather, the Diamondbacks may not have been satisfied with the offers they were receiving at the time. With Boston now better positioned to present a stronger package, the Red Sox could re-enter the conversation and make another push for Marte.
According to Spotrac, Marte would remain under team control for the Red Sox through 2032 if they retained him for the full length of his contract. While the All-Star infielder holds an $11.5 million player option following the 2031 season, he would be 37 years old at that point, making it unlikely he would opt out to test free agency.
If discussions between the two teams were to resume, there’s a realistic chance a trade could come together—one that benefits both organizations not only for the upcoming season, but for the long term as well.
