Prized Rookie A ‘Possible Fit’ For Red Sox, MLB Insider Reports

If the Boston Red Sox are looking to replace former third baseman Alex Bregman, all they have to do is turn to the club which poached the three-time All-Star with a five-year, $175 million contract.

The Chicago Cubs have a pair of players they can move after signing Bregman: infielders Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw.

“They’ve been listening in on star second baseman Nico Hoerner, who’s entering his walk year, and second-year infielder Matt Shaw, with Boston a possible fit since they are trying to improve their infield and have an extra outfielder,” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports.

Shaw burst on the scene in 2025, hitting 13 home runs with 44 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and 3.1 WAR in 126 games.

As a result, the 24-year-old from Springfield, Mass. finished ninth in voting for National League Rookie of the Year.

Of course, if the Red Sox want to go with a proven commodity, Hoerner could make the most sense in a trade with the Cubs.

Problem is, Boston isn’t the only club being linked to Hoerner. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports the New York Yankees are shopping for a right-handed bat to add some balance to their lineup.

“The ideal would be someone who could play multiple positions among first base, third base and the outfield while limiting strikeouts,” Sherman writes.

“An ideal candidate for the Yankees would be Nico Hoerner,” Sherman adds. “The Cubs were open to moving him at points during this offseason, especially after the signing of Alex Bregman that could allow Matt Shaw to shift to second base.

“Among his many assets, Hoerner is an elite defensive second baseman, an outstanding baserunner and someone who hit .369 vs. lefties last year with just a 5.4 strikeout percentage,” Sherman adds.

“But he is due $12 million for 2026 before becoming a free agent, and the Cubs would have to get a strong return to consider dealing him,” Sherman concludes.

But don’t count out the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey 

“Is Red Sox’ best infield option paying up for Hoerner or Shaw? Cubs are listening. Cost would be high. Would take guts,” Healey writes.

“Hoerner especially would be proof of (Craig) Breslow’s ‘focus on ’26, not the future’ approach,” Healey adds.

The 28-year-old Hoerner made his debut in 2019 with the Cubs. He’s played eight seasons in Chicago, posting a respectable .282 batting average.

Hoerner won his first Gold Glove Award in 2023, and added a second last year, which was his best all-around effort in the majors.

He posted a career-high 6.2 WAR last season while hitting .297 in 156 games. As a result, Hoerner finished 19th in voting for National League MVP.