As the offseason draws to a close, the Boston Red Sox have finally wrapped up their roster moves, but one recent ESPN mock trade proposal has left fans scratching their heads. The idea of swapping Wilyer Abreu for Brett Baty is not just a bad deal—it’s a glaring undervaluation of Abreu’s worth. But here’s where it gets controversial: while ESPN’s Dave Schoenfield suggested this straight-up trade in his “MLB trade proposals that could shake up spring training” article (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47839105/mlb-2026-spring-training-trade-proposals-abreu-baty-paredes-abrams), it’s clear the Red Sox should demand far more if Abreu is even remotely on the table. And this is the part most people miss: Abreu’s unique blend of offensive power and elite defense makes him irreplaceable in Boston’s lineup.
Let’s break it down. The Red Sox have spent the offseason reshaping their roster, notably replacing Alex Bregman with Willson Contreras and Caleb Durbin. Meanwhile, rumors of trading one of their outfielders—Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, or Wilyer Abreu—have persisted. However, Abreu’s value far exceeds what Schoenfield’s proposal suggests. At just 24 years old, Abreu is coming off a breakout season where he smashed 22 home runs, drove in 69 RBIs, and posted a .786 OPS in only 115 games. Oh, and did we mention he’s won back-to-back Gold Gloves for his stellar defense in Fenway’s notoriously tricky right field? His +15 Outs Above Average (OAA) over the past two seasons ties him for the best in baseball. That’s not just good—that’s elite.
Now, let’s talk about Brett Baty. At 26, Baty offers left-handed hitting and infield versatility, splitting time between third and second base. He was a 3.1 bWAR player last season and held his own defensively. But here’s the rub: while Baty is solid, he’s nowhere near Abreu’s caliber. Baty’s +4 OAA at third base over two seasons pales in comparison to Abreu’s defensive dominance. Plus, the Red Sox already have Marcelo Mayer penciled in as their future third baseman (https://bosoxinjection.com/red-soxs-reported-marcelo-mayer-preference-just-made-trade-plans-more-clear), making Baty’s positional value questionable. His -1 OAA at second base last season further highlights his limitations.
The real question is: Why would the Red Sox even consider trading Abreu for a lesser player? Abreu’s four years of team control, combined with his offensive upside and Gold Glove defense, make him a cornerstone of Boston’s future. While the Red Sox do have an outfield surplus (https://bosoxinjection.com/jarren-duran-vs-wilyer-abreu-which-is-the-better-red-sox-trade-candidate), any trade involving Abreu should net them a significant return, not a lateral move. This proposal feels like a misstep, and thankfully, Boston’s front office seems to agree—Abreu was never seriously on the trade block this offseason.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If you’re Craig Breslow, would you ever consider trading Wilyer Abreu for Brett Baty, or is this proposal as lopsided as it seems? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take on this controversial trade idea.
