The initial hopes for the Boston Red Sox‘s 2025-26 offseason–you know, Joe Ryan and Pete Alonso while keeping Alex Bregman–have certainly taken unforeseen twists, as the team has somehow morphed into a would-be version of the early 1970s Orioles, with a deep and talented starting rotation backed by precious little pop in the everyday lineup.
There’s still time for the Red Sox to change that outlook, as they could add a power bat to an infield that badly needs one–Eugenio Suarez and the 49 homers he hit last year are still available in free agency, if Boston can stomach his strikeouts and shoddy defense. There are less polarizing options, too.
The Red Sox have been linked to trades for veteran Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner, a very good fielder who hit .297 last year with a 6.2 WAR; Isaac Paredes, who hit 20 homers and was an All-Star for the Astros last year; as well as Brendan Donovan, who is light-hitting and lacks speed on the bases, but is an exceptional defender able to play anywhere on the field.
Dylan Moore Would Not Solve Problems for Red Sox
And according to MassLive beat writer Chris Cotillo, the Red Sox have had some talks, too, with another candidate: Dylan Moore, a free agent who is a career .201 hitter but has stuck around in the big leagues for seven years because he can play pretty much anywhere on the field and has speed.
According to Cotillo, the Red Sox “had some conversations with Dylan Moore, per source, but unclear if they’ll be his final destination.”
As Tyler Milliken, a host of “The Section 10 Podcast” wrote on Twitter/X: “Dylan Moore was released by the Mariners last season before signing an MiLB deal with the Rangers. Used to be a solid bat for Seattle against LHP, but was miserable offensively in 2025, and was weirdly better against RHP. Played every infield spot (-1 OAA) and CF/RF (-3 OAA) too.”
GettyAlex Bregman’s departure left a big hole for the Red Sox.
Marcelo Mayer Still a Question Mark
In other words, do not get too excited about the Red Sox and Moore, though he could be a possibility.
As it stands, the Red Sox are set at first base with Willson Contreras and shortstop with Trevor Story. Marcelo Mayer can be penciled in at third base for now, though he could move to second base depending on whom the Red Sox bring in.
If they bring in nobody, then Romy Gonzalez would be their top second-base option.
While Mayer in the Opening Day lineup is taken as a given, even that has to be approached with caution. He played 44 games in Boston last year and batted just .228 before going out with a wrist injury.
Manager Alex Cora said of Mayer: “He’s a good base runner, he’s a good defender, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Obviously, there’s a few things offensively that he needs to improve, but that’s everybody. And I like the player. I like him a lot. I don’t think he’s afraid of this environment. He actually likes it. So just go out there and play in spring training.”
Red Sox Had ‘Conversations’ With Another Free-Agent Infielder