Red Sox To Trade Tsung-Che Cheng To Tigers

The Red Sox are trading infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Tigers for cash, reports Andrew Parker of Sox Prospects. He’ll occupy a spot on Detroit’s 40-man roster, which is up to either 42 or 44 depending on their option decisions for Drew Anderson and Kenley Jansen. Boston, which already cleared one spot by trading Nate Eaton to the Athletics this afternoon, will be at 42 once Sonny Gray declines his end of a mutual option and becomes a free agent. Both teams will need to drop down to 40 by Monday evening. Cheng spent one season on the Sox’ roster. Boston claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in February. The Taiwanese infielder made a three-game debut with the Pirates last year and bounced around the waiver wire over the 2025-26 offseason. He played a minimal role in Boston, starting 13 games at shortstop amidst a monthlong stint on the MLB roster. He hit .256 with one extra-base hit, a double, in 44 plate appearances. The 25-year-old Cheng spent the remainder of the season on optional assignment to Triple-A Worcester. He posted a league average .241/.345/.390 slash with eight home runs. Cheng rarely expanded the strike zone and walked at a strong 14% clip. He struck out at a slightly elevated 24% rate and didn’t hit the ball with much authority. Prospect evaluators have generally praised his plate discipline and solid defensive chops around the infield, projecting him as a utility piece. He’s out of minor league options and will battle for a bench job in Detroit if he holds his 40-man spot all offseason. View Comments (10)