As the Boston Red Sox navigate the offseason, they've faced a significant challenge: filling the void left by Alex Bregman, who departed for the Chicago Cubs in free agency. With the infield in flux, the Red Sox made moves by trading for Caleb Durbin and sticking with Marcelo Mayer at second base. Yet, the search for an upgrade continues as the 2026 season looms.
Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report has thrown an intriguing trade proposal into the mix. The idea? Send top left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early, along with a couple of other prospects, to the Washington Nationals in exchange for All-Star CJ Abrams.
Here's the proposed trade: the Nationals would send shortstop CJ Abrams to the Red Sox, while Boston would part with LHP Connelly Early, LHP Jake Bennett, and SS Hector Ramos.
This trade would be a bold move for the Red Sox, potentially displacing one of their current infielders-Durbin, Mayer, or shortstop Trevor Story. The fit for Abrams in Boston isn't immediately clear, but his addition could be valuable.
Abrams has proven himself as a solid player, earning All-Star honors last season and consistently posting at least 3.4 bWAR over the past three years. His stats include 57 home runs, 109 stolen bases, 92 doubles, a .249 batting average, a .736 OPS, and a 105 OPS+. Notably, 2025 marked his best season yet, with a 111 OPS+.
The challenge lies in finding the right spot for Abrams. A shift to second base might enhance his defensive contributions, but the immediate fit remains uncertain.
Miller's trade suggestion raises questions about the Red Sox's willingness to part with Early, a promising left-handed starter, for an infielder who may not significantly outperform Mayer or Durbin. It's a trade-off that requires careful consideration of the team's long-term strategy and immediate needs.