Trade deadlines do not come with mercy; they come with pressure, posturing, and phone calls that could reshape a team in minutes. For the Red Sox, that pressure is mounting as the Twins and Nationals zero in on assets they would rather keep close. The interest is not casual either—it is targeted and analyzed, with the Twins and Nationals pushing the envelope to bolster their rotations. So with every inquiry, a tough question surfaces: how much is too much to pay for a win-now move?
As per Nat Gordon at NESN, the chatter has intensified. Drawing a comparison to last season’s talks around Garrett Crochet, Gordon highlighted how the Red Sox were asked for stars like Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer—a quick dealbreaker. “They are not trading those guys, and they didn’t trade those guys,” Gordon emphasized.
However, there is a twist: “I cannot get a real explanation as to why the price is so, so, so much higher for these controllable starters at the deadline.” That is the dynamic the Red Sox are once again caught in, only this time, other competitors are also circling and asking for the young stars the Red Sox hoped to build around.
To make matters clearer, Gordon added, “So yeah, I do not know exactly what the Twins and the Nationals would be asking for those guys, but surely, I’m sure they’re going to ask about the big three. I’m sure they’re going to ask about maybe a Willu…” Such a looming ask—one that likely contains Wilyer Abreu—poses a real dilemma. While the Red Sox want to deal from areas of surplus, giving up foundational young stars could backfire. “You don’t want to deal from your core,” Gordon stressed, highlighting a thought that once defined Chaim Bloom’s approach. As the deadline is coming quickly, Alex Cora’s team needs to walk a tightrope—stay competitive, but do not compromise the future.
With teams like the Nationals and Twins pushing hard for the Red Sox’s top-tier assets, another intriguing subplot is quietly unfolding in the Red Sox outfield — and it could hold just as much trade drama.
Red Sox outfield conundrum
As buzz builds around one star, another is silently rising in value. While Jarren Duran has long been pegged as a high-energy outfielder with upside, it is Wilyer Abreu who is forcing his way into the attention, not just in the Red Sox’s plans, however, in the eyes of rivals. At 26, Abreu is delivering at the plate and showcasing Gold Glove-caliber defense, all while being seasons away from arbitration. The Athletic also listed the star as the fifth-best trade target currently available, highlighting just how coveted he has become.
However, the situation for Abreu staying in the Red Sox is just as powerful. The star is club-controlled through 2029, and his performance continues to mirror — or exceed — the promise Wilver Abreu showed in the rookie season. If the Red Sox are truly in no rush, Abreu’s value only increases with time. Yet, this is where things get tricky: if a contender like the Padres sweetens the pot with a better package for Abreu than Duran, do the Red Sox bite? They could not want to trade either; however, standing still could prove just as risky as making the wrong move.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora watches against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Monday, April 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Red Sox are going through a tightrope ahead of the trade deadline, balancing long-term power against short-term scope. Whether it is holding firm on their top young stars and weighing outfield offers for Duran and Abreu, every move — or non—move—will ripple into the team’s future. As rival teams circle, the Red Sox need to tread carefully. Stay tuned — this deadline could define more than just the rest of the season.
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