The Boston Red Sox are caught in a strange middle ground—close enough to chase a Wild Card spot but flawed enough to miss it entirely. So it’s no surprise that Bleacher Report’s latest trade idea dangles one of their steadiest bats in exchange for the starting pitcher Boston desperately needs.
The Proposal: Wilyer Abreu for Kris Bubic
According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Red Sox could send outfielder Wilyer Abreu to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-hander Kris Bubic. On the surface, it sounds wild. Bubic has been one of the most underrated starters in the American League this year, putting up 10 quality starts and a sub-2.50 FIP. He’s pitched his way into Cy Young’s conversations.
Abreu, meanwhile, has quietly become one of Boston’s most reliable hitters. He’s under team control through 2029, comes at a bargain price, and has helped stabilize a lineup that lost Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida (injury), and Alex Bregman (also injured). Trading Abreu might seem like waving the white flag.
But Boston doesn’t see it that way.
Breslow’s Aggressive Deadline Mindset
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made it clear to The Athletic that the Red Sox aren’t punting on 2025. Despite sitting fourth in the AL East and three games out of the Wild Card with a 40-43 record, Breslow said, “The future has to be now.”
If that’s the case, then pitching must be the priority. The Sox rank 19th in MLB with a 4.03 ERA and have suffered major blows to their rotation depth. Kutter Crawford is out for the season. Hunter Dobbins and Tanner Houck have battled injuries. Giolito and Buehler—Breslow’s pricey offseason bets—have been flops or unavailable. Only Garrett Crochet has lived up to the hype.
So, what’s the value of a controllable, elite-level starter like Bubic? For Boston, it might be worth giving up a productive young hitter—even one like Abreu.
Why It (Almost) Makes Sense for Boston
Abreu is a loss, but the Red Sox are oddly rich in outfielders. They still have Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and eventually Yoshida. If Breslow believes the pitching staff is one arm away from legitimacy, moving from a strength to address a weakness makes sense.
Bubic wouldn’t just be a rental. He’s arbitration-eligible in 2026 and under team control for at least one more season. In a rotation decimated by injuries and failed investments, he could give Boston a long-overdue anchor behind Crochet.
A Lifeline for the Royals’ Offense
As for the Royals, this would be a no-brainer. Their offense outside of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia has been a disaster. The entire Kansas City outfield has combined for -1.5 bWAR in 2025. That’s not a slump—that’s a black hole.
Abreu would immediately become their second or third-best hitter, offering long-term upside. With Jac Caglianone also on the way, adding a reliable, everyday outfielder is more than a short-term fix—it’s a foundation piece.
Would Boston Really Pull the Trigger?
There’s an optics problem. Trading Abreu weeks after dealing Devers might make fans panic. But if Breslow really believes the Sox can still make a run, then adding an arm like Bubic could turn them into a different team entirely.
The Red Sox don’t need to find a new identity. They just need to stop losing games by the third inning.
And if Wilyer Abreu is the price for a real shot at October, Breslow might be willing to pay it.
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