For the entire offseason, infield and pitching have been the two main points of emphasis for the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox have made additions to their staff, bringing in starters Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Ranger Suarez, respectively. 

Additions to the infield have been less successful.

Boston was unable to bring back third baseman Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. Efforts to land shortstop Bo Bichette were also unsuccessful and he signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets.

The Red Sox were able to add depth to the infield by reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal with Isiah Kiner-Falefa. However, the club's efforts to land an All-Star caliber infielder are still ongoing and that could lead them to a potential trade with the Houston Astros.

Boston has been rumored to be involved in trade conversations centered around two-time All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes.

The Athletic's Chandler Rome recently appeared on the "Crush City Territory" podcast. According to Rome, not only is Paredes' trade market starting to heat up but the Red Sox are also involved.

"(Paredes) is the guy that I keep hearing is the one that is being sought after the most," Rome said on the podcast. "I've heard as many as five teams show legitimate and aggressive interest in Isaac Paredes. There are two that I'll be willing to share, but I want to stress, just because I say these two, it doesn't mean it's going to get done with these two teams. They've got other teams interested. ... The Boston Red Sox, as we know, they remain interested in Paredes. According to people I've talked to, the Pittsburgh Pirates have also picked up their pursuits there."

Paredes was named to his second-straight All-Star game last season. In his first year with the Astros, he slashed .254/.352/.458 with an .810 OPS and hit 15 doubles, a triple and 20 home runs with 53 RBIs in 102 games. He missed two months of the year from July 20-Sept. 19 due to a right hamstring strain.

Acquiring Paredes would give the Red Sox an established and effective third baseman. It's yet to be seen what the return for the Astros would be but Boston would be paying Paredes significantly less than what it would have been paying Bregman.

Paredes is set to earn $9.35 million in 2026. If Boston wants to retain him for 2027, it will be able to exercise a $13.35 million club option.

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