The Boston Red Sox are trading for infielder Caleb Durbin, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The club is sending infielder David Hamilton and left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan to the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the deal. Durbin debuted with the Brew Crew this past season. He hit 11 home runs and stole 18 bases as Milwaukee’s primary third baseman.
Boston will also pick up infielder Andruw Monasterio, catcher Anthony Seigler, and a draft pick in the swap, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. The six-player trade sees the Red Sox add some much-needed third base depth after missing out on Alex Bregman and other top names in free agency. The Brewers add an experienced starter who could bring a new look to their rotation, which currently features all righties.
Durbin has now been traded in back-to-back offseasons. He went to the Brewers in December 2024 in the deal that sent Devin Williams to the New York Yankees. Left-hander Nestor Cortes joined Durbin in going to Milwaukee.
Boston Red Sox Land Everyday Third Baseman
One of the prevailing themes of the offseason for the Red Sox has been missing out on the third base market. After Bregman opted out of the final two seasons of the three-year, $120 million pact he signed last offseason, Boston was linked to virtually every notable name available. The club popped up as a suitor in the trade markets of Brendan Donovan and Isaac Paredes. A Bregman reunion was rumored, as was a pursuit of Eugenio Suarez.
Bregman, Donovan, and Suarez have all found new homes. Paredes could still be moved, though this deal might remove Boston from the race. The club’s lone move to bolster the infield was bringing in utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Durbin provides the Red Sox with a viable regular in the infield. He might not slot directly into Brgman’s spot at third base, as Marcelo Mayer could shift there with Durbin playing second. No matter the configuration, Boston has found a route to replacing Bregman.
After opening the 2025 season in Triple-A, Durbin found his way to the big-league club in April. He snagged the third base job and never relinquished it. The 25-year-old managed a 105 wRC+ in his first taste of the majors. He didn’t hit the ball impressively hard, but made a ton of contact. Durbin was one of five qualified hitters with a sub-10% strikeout rate last season.
Boston Ships Out Another Piece of the Rafael Devers Trade
The Red Sox have now moved on from three of the four players acquired in the Devers deal with the San Francisco Giants. The organization dealt the disgruntled third base for a package highlighted by Harrison. He would ultimately make just three appearances with the team.
Boston dumped right-hander Jordan Hicks to the Chicago White Sox on February 1. The move, largely financially driven, allowed the team to shed $16 million of the remaining $24 million on Hicks’ contract. Outfield prospect James Tibbs III lasted less than two months in Boston. The club shipped him to the Dodgers for Dustin May last year.
Right-hander Jose Bello is the last man standing from the Devers deal. The 20-year-old has topped out at Single-A in Boston’s system.
Red Sox Swing Trade for Alex Bregman Replacement