Breaking: Red Sox’s Secret Weapon Unleashed!

The Boston Red Sox are currently exploring trade options involving their young outfielders, according to a report from Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Although Speier doesn’t specify individuals involved in discussions, the team has several intriguing possibilities.

Among the six primary outfielders on the 40-man roster, three have yet to qualify for arbitration: Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne Rafaela. Duran, with just under two years of MLB service, is the most experienced among them. Abreu and Rafaela made their MLB debuts late in the 2023 season.

Different teams are likely to value this trio differently, as each player has shown promise but is still a work in progress. Duran, who turned 27 in September, had an impressive 2023 season with a .295/.346/.482 line and eight home runs over 362 plate appearances. Despite improvements, his .381 average on balls in play is likely unsustainable, and he needs to address a strikeout rate slightly higher than the league average to maintain consistent performance.

Defensively, Duran’s athleticism has translated well on the bases, but opinions on his fielding vary. While Statcast grades him slightly below par in nearly 1,200 career innings, Defensive Runs Saved estimates him 19 runs below average. His defensive position projection (center field or left field) depends on whether a team views him as a capable center fielder.

Abreu, on the other hand, also faces questions about his ideal defensive spot, having played all three outfield positions in the minors. Despite elite arm strength, his below-average speed makes center field a challenging fit. Baseball America, ranking him as the No. 6 prospect in the Red Sox’s farm system, suggests he might be best suited for right field.

Rafaela, a highly aggressive hitter, displayed impressive offensive numbers in Triple-A but faced challenges during his 28-game MLB debut. Known for his Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, he’s also capable of playing in the middle infield.

With the recent acquisition of Tyler O’Neill and the contract of Masataka Yoshida, who pairs solid offense with subpar defense, it seems unlikely that either player will be traded. The potential trade of an outfielder could address the Red Sox’s need for pitching, especially considering the existing high-variance staff, even after signing Lucas Giolito. Speier indicates that Boston remains interested in Teoscar Hernández, suggesting they have financial flexibility to pursue additional options in the free-agent market.