Boston Red Sox trade rumors: What a deal for Jose Abreu could look like

The Boston Red Sox could be all in on Jose Abreu instead of Giancarlo Stanton, and that could be a very good plan for this team.

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox made a huge deal last season involving ace Chris Sale. It worked out for both sides, as Sale was dominant in Boston and Chicago was able to start their rebuilding process.

Boston gave up a lot for sale from their farm system, and Chicago may now have the best farm system in the league. Now, another deal between these franchises may be on the table as rumors have begun to swirl about Jose Abreu conversations.

Abreu is a slugger and would fill the Red Sox needs for both a power hitter and a first baseman. The White Sox meanwhile, would be able to shed themselves of a large contract to focus on their rebuild. Boston would need to dig deep into their barrel of prospects to make this deal possible though. The farm system is depleted from Lowell to Pawtucket, but there are options.

Jacki Bradley Jr. would likely be the key piece on the move for the Boston Red Sox, with a pair of prospects thrown in as well. Jay Groome, who is the top prospect that Boston still has, should draw some interest from Chicago. Sending another 1B that could potentially replace Abrea in a White Sox uniform could be enticing as well, so Josh Ockimey could be included.

Last season in Greenville, Groome was off with a 6.70 ERA, but he has a ton of potential. He is a much better player than he was overall last year. Ockimey is the #7 prospect that Boston has, and he spent time with both Salem and Portland in 2017. In Double-A, he hit .272 with 3 home runs in 31 games. He should take the step up to Triple-A in 2018.

The deal would make sense from both sides, and it seems like a move that could happen sooner than later. The Red Sox are seemingly no longer in the Giancarlo Stanton trade discussions, so this could be the first shoe to drop. Boston would, possibly, have some wiggle room to add another big bat to the lineup.

Room for one more?

Jose Abreu is set to make just $11.5 million in 2018 and $12 million in 2019, leaving some room for another key player. Boston could add to their lineup and the outfield with J.D. Martinez. He’s more affordable than what Giancarlo Stanton is making, and the Red Sox would essentially be swapping Jackie Bradley Jr. for Abreu and Martinez. That sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

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If this were to happen, Boston’s lineup would rival any other in the majors. Andrew Benintendi could move over to play center field with Martinez in left, or the Sox could give J.D. a chance in center field too. Here’s what Boston’s Opening Day roster could look like if these deals are made.

1. CF Andrew Benintendi

2. RF Mookie Betts

3. 1B Jose Abreu

4. LF J.D. Martinez

5. 3B Rafael Devers

6. DH Hanley Ramirez

7. SS Xander Bogaerts

8. 2B Eduardo Nunez

9. C Christian Vazquez

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I factored in the thought that Nunez will be back with Boston to replace the injured Dustin Pedroia, but even if it’s someone else, that lineup is crazy. The power of the #3 through #6 hitters would produce so well, and pitchers would be almost unable to intentionally walk any of them. The Red Sox would cause nightmares for opposing pitchers. The Red Sox should pull the trigger on both Jose Abreu and J.D. Martinez. The future 2018 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox would dominate the American League, and I already can’t wait for the regular season to start on March 29th.

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