The Boston Red Sox find themselves stuck in an awkward position—close enough to stay in the Wild Card race, but inconsistent enough to fall short. That’s why Bleacher Report’s latest trade suggestion has them sending one of their most dependable hitters in exchange for a much-needed boost to the starting rotation.
The Deal: Wilyer Abreu for Kris Bubic
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposes a trade where Boston ships outfielder Wilyer Abreu to the Kansas City Royals in return for left-handed starter Kris Bubic. At first glance, it sounds bold. Bubic has quietly become one of the best pitchers in the American League, boasting 10 quality starts and a FIP under 2.50—numbers that have put him in the Cy Young conversation.
Abreu, meanwhile, has emerged as one of Boston’s most consistent bats. He’s cost-effective, under control through 2029, and has played a key role for a lineup battered by injuries to stars like Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida, and Alex Bregman. Trading him might look like surrender.
But that’s not how Boston sees it.
Breslow’s Win-Now Approach
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told The Athletic that the team isn’t giving up on 2025. Despite being in fourth place in the AL East with a 40-43 record, Breslow insists, “The future has to be now.”
That means improving the pitching staff is a must. Boston ranks 19th in MLB with a 4.03 ERA and has dealt with multiple injuries in the rotation. Kutter Crawford is done for the year, Tanner Houck and Hunter Dobbins have had health issues, and big-name additions Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler haven’t delivered. Only Garrett Crochet has met expectations.
Given all that, trading a controllable young bat like Abreu for a top-tier starter like Bubic might be justified.
Why It Could Work for Boston
Losing Abreu would sting, but the Red Sox have outfield depth. Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and eventually Yoshida could absorb the blow. If Breslow thinks one high-impact arm could elevate the rotation, dealing from a position of strength to fix a glaring weakness makes sense.
Plus, Bubic isn’t just a rental—he’s arbitration-eligible in 2026 and under team control beyond that. With Boston’s rotation in shambles, he could provide much-needed stability behind Crochet.
Kansas City Gets a Lineup Boost
For the Royals, it’s a no-brainer. Aside from Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia, their lineup has underperformed. The outfield, in particular, has been a disaster, combining for -1.5 bWAR in 2025. Abreu would immediately upgrade the offense and give the team a controllable everyday player. With prospect Jac Caglianone rising, it’s a move that builds a stronger offensive core.
Will Boston Actually Do It?
There’s a PR concern—trading Abreu not long after parting with Devers could upset fans. But if Breslow truly believes this team has a chance to contend, adding a pitcher of Bubic’s caliber might be the move that reshapes their season.
The Red Sox don’t need a new identity—they just need to stop falling apart early in games. If Abreu is the cost of fixing that, Breslow may be ready to take the risk.