Red Sox remain ‘best fit’ as a trade suitor for Paredes

After the Red Sox opened spring training with Jarren Duran still on the roster, it seemed as if the endless stream of trade rumors regarding the dynamic outfielder were destined to subside.

Despite all the rhetoric of Boston looking at outfield options like Ketel Marte in order to replace Alex Bregman’s production in the lineup, the Red Sox ultimately opted to trade for Caleb Durbin last month. The former Brewers regular is expected to be positioned at third base moving forward.

Boston’s outfield appears to be moving forward with Wilson Contreras (first base), Durbin (third base), Trevor Story (shortstop), and some combinations/platooning of Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Keener-Faleeva, and Andrew Monasterio earning reps at second.

But, could Boston reconsider trade talks with the Astros, who are struggling to find a spot in their outfield for talented third baseman Isaac Paredes?

According to longtime MLB writer Ken Rosenthal, The Red Sox remain a logical fit in a Paredes-centric trade — with Duran standing as a viable chip in that potential swap.

“The Red Sox, even after acquiring Caleb Durbin from Milwaukee, still look like the best fit for Paredes — they can play him at third and Durbin at second without having to rely on Marcelo Mayer,” Rosenthal wrote. “The Astros will not be bringing back Wilier Abreu, who they traded for catcher Christian Vazquez in 2022.

“The deal built around Jarren Duran should remain affordable. By moving Duran, the Red Sox would create DH bats for Masataka Yoshida and eventually Triston Casas, who could return in May from a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee.”

However, Rosenthal added that the Red Sox and Astros “haven’t been in touch recently” since Boston acquired Durbin.

Bringing in a right-handed pull hitter like Paredes would be a welcome addition to a Red Sox team that still faces questions about whether they have enough power in their lineup.

Paredes, 27, hit 20 home runs and 102 RBI last season with Houston and could be on his way to a surge if he plays most of his games at Fenway Park.

Moving on from Duran would also solve Boston’s infield dilemma, as the Red Sox currently have four established players between Duran, Roman Anthony, Sedan Rafaela and Wiler Abreu for just three starting spots.

This means that one of Duran or Anthony will likely log most of their reps at DH this season, barring another trade. As Rosenthal noted, freeing up the DH spot could open the door for a player like Yoshida or Casas (if healthy) to settle into that role moving forward — with a renewed season from Casas also giving Boston another boost of power.

But trading Paredes at this point in the MLB calendar would create another potential logjam. If Durbin moves to second and Paredes settles into third base, it would also prevent Meyer from recurring regularly at second forward.

Although it may be tempting for Boston to revisit talks on an intriguing talent like Paredes, the Red Sox appear to have made up their mind with the Durbin deal.

Connor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.