The Boston Red Sox have been the most active team in baseball on the first day of the offseason, as they look to clear 40-man roster spots ahead of seven players returning from the 60-day injured list. After trading outfielder Nate Eaton to the Athletics to clear one of the four spots needed, the active day continued for Craig Breslow as SoxProspects.com's Andrew Parker reports that Boston is trading infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers. 

After bouncing around the waiver wire all offseason, the 25-year-old infielder was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals in February. Cheng spent much of the season with Triple-A Worcester. In 94 games with the WooSox, Cheng hit .241/.345/.390/.735 with eight home runs, 12 doubles, four triples, and 44 RBI. Cheng made a brief appearance with the Red Sox as injuries ravaged the team's middle-infield depth; the team recalled him on June 26 after placing shortstop Marcelo Mayer on the injured list with a stress reaction in his left forearm. The 25-year-old performed well, splitting time at shortstop with Andruw Monasterio, hitting .256/.318/.282/.600 with one double and five RBI in 14 games. 

According to Parker, Detroit will be sending cash back to the Red Sox in exchange for Cheng. 

After trading Eaton and Cheng, the Red Sox still need to clear two spots on the 40-man roster before seven injured players return. The Red Sox have several candidates to trade or designate for assignment, including pitchers Raymond Burgos, Zack Kelly, and Jedixson Paez, or outfielder Eli White if his foot injury keeps him out for the entire 2027 season. 

Teams must be compliant with the 40-man roster restrictions by Monday, Nov. 2. 

In the first trade of the offseason, Boston traded Eaton to former Red Sox assistant general manager turned Athletics President of Baseball Operations Taylor Smith. The Red Sox received pitching prospect Jareth Rayo. The 18-year-old right-hander spent the 2026 season pitching in the Dominican Summer League. In 36 innings in the DSL, Rayo posted a 5.50 ERA over 11 appearances, striking out nine batters per nine innings and walking five batters per nine innings.

The Red Sox also re-signed relief prospect Angel Bastardo to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to major league spring training. The 24-year-old spent the 2026 season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, where he posted a 4.64 ERA in 40 appearances spanning 54.1 innings pitched.