After a couple of down seasons for the Boston Red Sox, fans finally have a reason to be excited for this upcoming season after the front office went out and acquired topline starter Garrett Crochet and then added third-baseman Alex Bregman.
On top of that, they have two of the MLB’s brightest prospects, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell, who are on the cusp of being ready for the bigs.
However, Boston could still use assurance in the back end of its bullpen.
In a potential trade the team should be looking to make this season, the Red Sox would move outfielder Wilyer Abreu and Josh Winckowski to the Milwaukee Brewers in return for southpaw Jared Koeing.
Koeing had a breakout season in 2024, recording a 2.47 ERA in 62 innings and striking out 63 hitters.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (52) hits a sacrifice fly in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Milwaukee could look to sell high in this situation, and it would grant them an MLB-ready outfielder and another productive piece in the bullpen with Winckowski. If Boston wants to make the playoffs, the bullpen can’t be an issue, and with no closer selected and a bunch of shaky options, the time might be now to make a trade.
Boston acquired flamethrower Aroldis Chapman this offseason, but many are already questioning if he will be a reliable option to close each night. Abreu had been dealing with an injury for most of Spring Training but is back in action and had a solid 2024 campaign by hitting 15 home runs and 33 doubles.
It’s unclear if the Red Sox would want to move on from Abreu, but Roman Anthony is coming right up Boston’s pipeline—many call for him to get a roster spot and meaningful at-bats early in the 2025 season.
