Turns out those Red Sox-Nico Hoerner/Matt Shaw rumors won't die after all

Apparently, it's too much to ask for a little hope these days. After the Boston Red Sox signed veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a $6 million deal for 2026, I wrote a piece openly wondering if this winter's rumors around Matt Shaw (as well as Nico Hoerner) might quiet down now.

Nope.

Even with Kiner-Falefa in the fold, Craig Breslow hasn't given up his hopes of landing an impact infielder before Opening Day. According to Sean McAdam of MassLive, Boston is still very much in the market for another addition.

"Fortunately, there’s evidence to suggest that the Red Sox do not, in fact, see Kiner-Falefa as anything close to an everyday player. Industry sources indicate the team is still very much in the market for another infielder, presumably one with far more offensive upside."

An infielder with far more upside than Kiner-Falefa? Well, Hoerner and Shaw both fit that description, but based on everything that's out there, the latter seems likelier to move than the former - and even for that to happen, Jed Hoyer would have to be overwhelmed.

Cubs don't need to trade Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw this winter

A spring extension of Hoerner could increase the odds of a Shaw trade (in the sense the Cubs wouldn't need to hold onto him to succeed Hoerner at second should he depart in free agency), but we haven't heard anything concrete on that front, either.

The Cubs aren't the only fit on paper here. The Houston Astros could flip former Cub Isaac Paredes to Boston in exchange for an impact outfielder, but Dana Brown has resisted moving his power-hitting former All-Star so far this winter. Breslow could circle back to the Diamondbacks on Ketel Marte, as well - so this by no means indicates Chicago is going to move one of their talented infielders.

One thing's for sure, though. Without another major infield addition, Red Sox Nation is going to be underwhelmed, frustrated and downright angry with how the winter played out, particularly in the aftermath of losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs.