Red Sox trade 25-year-old infielder to Tigers

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Red Sox trade 25-year-old infielder to Tigers

Matt Larter · The Big Lead

Fri, Oct 30, 2026 ·

2 min read

Cheng's 2026 season with Boston

Jul 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng (39) hits an RBI-single against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Cheng appeared in 14 games for the Red Sox this season, recording a .256 batting average with 10 hits in 37 at-bats. He scored seven runs, collected one double and drove in five runs while primarily contributing defensively at shortstop.

The 25-year-old made 13 starts at the position, providing Boston with additional infield depth throughout the campaign.

Interestingly, the Red Sox enjoyed considerable success when Cheng was in the lineup, winning 13 of the 14 games in which he appeared during the 2026 season.

At Triple-A Worcester, Cheng played a much larger role, appearing in 94 games. He finished with a .241 batting average, collecting 71 hits in 295 at-bats.

His offensive production included 52 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 30 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Although his numbers were relatively modest, his versatility and experience across multiple levels made him a useful organizational option.

Tigers offer Cheng fresh opportunity

Jul 20, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng (39) throws the ball for an out against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Cheng originally signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in 2018 before making his way to Boston.

Despite spending several years developing within professional baseball, he has appeared in just 17 major-league games between the Pirates and Red Sox.

The trade to Detroit could provide Cheng with a fresh opportunity to establish himself within another organization and potentially work his way back into the major leagues.

For the Red Sox, the move represents a relatively minor roster transaction, while the Tigers add a young infielder with major league experience and additional organizational depth.

At 25 years old, Cheng still has time to develop, and a change of scenery could prove beneficial as he looks to secure a more consistent role moving forward.