The Boston Red Sox are entering another offseason with hopes of adding players that can help propel the organization towards an American League Pennant. Last offseason, Boston made key additions like Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet, and Aroldis Chapman. Those three players helped Boston reach the playoffs for the first time in a few years, but now president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow will be looking to take another step towards a World Series berth.
Boston acquired Crochet via a trade with the Chicago White Sox, which leads some to believe the Red Sox will be active in the trade market once again. After the Red Sox did not extend a qualifying offer to starter Lucas Giolito, he is set to become a free agent. If the Red Sox don’t re-sign Giolito, they have a hole to fix in the starting rotation. Could they pull off a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one of their quality starters?
Red Sox linked to Pirates’ Mitch Keller
(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by Jarren Duran #16 after Abreu hit a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on August 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Mitch Keller picked up a lot of trade rumors back in July, but ultimately ended up staying put. The All-Star starter holds a lot of trade value due to his contract, which is team-friendly at five years, $77 million.
In a recent bold predictions piece, Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter proposes the idea of the Red Sox trading for Mitch Keller in a player-for-player swap that includes Wilyer Abreu:
“The Boston Red Sox have an abundance of outfield talent and a clear need for a veteran starting pitcher to replace Lucas Giolito, who is expected to decline his end of a $19 million mutual option.”
After Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox rotation really thins out, and adding another depth starter should be a top priority for Boston’s front office this offseason.
Why Should the Red Sox Offload Wilyer Abreu?
At this point, the Red Sox have an extreme surplus of outfielders. After extending Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu has become the subject of trade rumors. The Gold Glove outfielder hit 22 home runs this season and posted an OPS+ of 116 in 115 games. He would be a great piece for a Pirates organization that desperately needs bats, and he still has several years before he is a free agent.
As for Mitch Keller, his record was ugly this season at 6-15, but he recorded a 4.19 ERA in 176.1 innings, and he’s proven he can take the ball every fifth day as a durable starter. Keller has four straight seasons of 150+ innings.
Abreu will continue to be the subject of trade rumors as the offseason progresses, because if the Red Sox are serious about being AL contenders next season, they will have to add to a rotation that has a workhorse at the top in Crochet.
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