Two Third Basemen Who Could Reshape Boston’s Infield Before the Deadline

The Boston Red Sox have spent most of 2026 stuck in neutral. A 36-46 record, injuries piling up, and a roster that looks good on paper but hasn’t clicked on the field. Then they swept the Yankees at Fenway. Walk-off on Sunday night. Jarren Duran being Jarren Duran. Suddenly July doesn’t feel like a lost cause.

The Sox have real talent. Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Aroldis Chapman, Duran, Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Story, Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony. That’s not a rebuild core, that’s a group that could make noise if they stay healthy and add the right pieces. The problem is they’ve been selling off rental names in trade rumors — Chapman, Duran, Gray are all being discussed as trade chips. But what if they pivot and buy instead?

Here are two third basemen who make sense for Boston. Not prospects. Guys who can help now.

Isaac Paredes

Houston has had a rough go of it this season, but they’ve been playing better lately. Isaac Paredes is the kind of versatile bat Boston needs. He’s played third, second, first, and DH. This season he’s hitting .256 with 11 homers, 45 RBIs, 22 walks, and 16 doubles. His OPS sits at .779 with a 1.6 WAR. And he’s hot right now. Like, one of the hottest hitters in the game hot.

Paredes shows up when it matters. Small sample, sure, but in four postseason games he’s hit .455 with a 1.045 OPS. Five hits, one extra-base hit, one walk. The Red Sox could slot him anywhere from third to seventh in the order and get production.

The fit is flexible. Caleb Durbin is playing third now. Marcelo Mayer is on the IL. You could put Paredes at second, move Durbin over, or shift things around when Mayer returns. The bigger question is whether Boston wants to pay the price to pry him from Houston. The Astros aren’t going to give him away.

Matt Chapman

Matt Chapman is the kind of player who makes a front office think twice. He’s an elite defender at third base, with a right-handed power bat that could play well at Fenway. But he has a full no-trade clause, and Boston is not a contender right now. That could change in a couple weeks if the Sox go on a run. Chapman would have to want to come here.

His numbers this year: .241 average, seven homers, 42 RBIs, 18 doubles, .709 OPS. Not flashy, but he’s still a plus defender. Durbin has been solid at third, but Chapman is a clear upgrade with the glove. This move would be about prioritizing defense and adding a veteran presence who’s been through October before.

The Giants are having a miserable season. They need to move some salary and start over. Chapman might be open to leaving if a contending team comes calling. The question is whether Boston can get hot enough between now and the deadline to convince him they’re that team. The AL East is winnable if a few things break right. The NL West? Not so much for San Francisco.