Wilyer Abreu has emerged as the standout performer for the Boston Red Sox just three percent into the season. Nevertheless, his future with the franchise remains somewhat uncertain. At 25, Abreu delivered a Gold Glove-caliber performance as a rookie in 2024, proving himself as a competent starting outfielder in the majors. Yet, the Red Sox have top prospect Roman Anthony on the brink of his MLB debut, with right field being a likely fit for him.
It’s important to note that the Red Sox don’t need to part with Abreu to accommodate Anthony. They could transition Ceddanne Rafaela, the current center fielder, to a utility role or simply rotate players based on form and injuries. However, if the Red Sox decide Abreu’s trade value is currently high, they might attract interest from various teams. One sports writer suggests that the Detroit Tigers should be among those interested.
In a recent piece, TJ French from Athlon proposed a hypothetical trade, sending Abreu to Detroit in exchange for utility player Andy Ibañez and the Tigers’ top catching prospect Thayron Liranzo, potentially addressing Boston’s need for a long-term catcher. French noted, “Liranzo is a promising catcher with strong batting potential, just 21 years old, and progressing well through the ranks.”
Over the past two MiLB seasons, he’s hit 36 homers and 46 doubles in nearly 700 at-bats. “Boston’s No. 2 prospect, Roman Anthony, is seemingly ready for his MLB debut… so trading Abreu to make way for Anthony’s future success isn’t a bad strategy.”
Liranzo recorded a .786 OPS in High-A last season, including an impressive 1.032 in 26 games after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty deal. While the Tigers might see him as their future starter, their need for an additional outfield bat could be more pressing. Letting go of Abreu could be a gamble the Red Sox are hesitant to make, especially if the rest of the offense rebounds soon. However, acquiring a top catching prospect would be a valuable move if they decide to trade him to pave the way for Anthony.
