The Boston Red Sox find themselves in an awkward position—competitive enough to remain in the Wild Card hunt, yet inconsistent enough to fall short. Given that, latest trade involves parting with one of their most reliable hitters in return for the starting pitching help the team urgently needs.
The Red Sox are dealing outfielder to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-hander. At first glance, it might seem far-fetched. top star has quietly emerged as one of the American League’s most underrated pitchers this season, recording 10 quality starts and posting a FIP under 2.50—numbers that have thrust him into Cy Young contention.
On the flip side, fan-favorite star has been a steady force in Boston’s lineup. Under team control through 2029 and on a team-friendly contract, he’s played a crucial role in keeping the offense afloat amid injuries to Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida, and Alex Bregman. Trading him could be interpreted as the team throwing in the towel.
But that’s not how the Red Sox view it.
Breslow’s Aggressive Deadline Mindset
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow emphasized to The Athletic that the Red Sox aren’t giving up on the 2025 season. Despite sitting in fourth place in the AL East with a 40–43 record and trailing the Wild Card race by three games, Breslow stated, “The future has to be now.”
If that’s truly the mindset, then improving the pitching staff becomes essential. The Red Sox rank 19th in MLB with a 4.03 ERA and have been hit hard by injuries and underperformance in the rotation. Kutter Crawford is out for the year, and both Hunter Dobbins and Tanner Houck have dealt with injuries. Offseason additions Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler have either struggled or been unavailable, leaving Garrett Crochet as the only consistent bright spot.
Given that context, the value of acquiring a controllable, high-performing starter like Kris Bubic becomes clear. For Boston, that kind of upgrade might justify parting with a productive young bat—even one as promising and cost-effective as Wilyer Abreu.
Why It (Almost) Makes Sense for Boston
Losing Abreu would sting, but the Red Sox are unusually deep in the outfield. With Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and Masataka Yoshida expected back eventually, Boston has the depth to absorb the loss. If Craig Breslow believes the rotation is just one reliable arm away from becoming a serious threat, dealing from a position of strength to fix a glaring weakness is a logical move.
Kris Bubic wouldn’t be a short-term rental, either. He’s arbitration-eligible in 2026 and remains under team control for at least one more year. In a rotation battered by injuries and offseason misfires, Bubic could finally give the Red Sox a dependable presence behind Garrett Crochet—something they’ve been sorely missing.
A Lifeline for the Royals’ Offense
From the Royals’ perspective, this deal would be a no-brainer. Outside of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia, their offense has been a mess. The entire Kansas City outfield has combined for a -1.5 bWAR in 2025—not just a cold streak, but a glaring weakness.
Wilyer Abreu would instantly rank among their top hitters, giving them a much-needed spark and long-term value. With top prospect Jac Caglianone on the horizon, acquiring a dependable, everyday outfielder like Abreu isn’t just about patching a hole—it’s about building a sustainable core for the future.
Would Boston Really Pull the Trigger?
There’s no denying the optics could be rough. Trading Wilyer Abreu just weeks after moving Rafael Devers might spark panic among the fanbase. But if Craig Breslow truly believes the Red Sox still have a shot at contending, acquiring a starter like Kris Bubic could be a game-changer.
Boston doesn’t need to reinvent itself—it just needs to stop falling behind early and playing from behind by the third inning.
And if the cost of stabilizing the rotation and making a serious postseason push is Abreu, Breslow may decide it’s a price worth paying.