Coming into the 2025 season, there were high expectations for Wilyer Abreu after winning the American League Gold Glove Award for right fielders last season. Through 64 games, he has lived up to those expectations, but the arrival of top prospect Romany Anthony could shake up his future in Boston.
Abreu has been producing at the plate this season. According to FanGraphs, he has 13 home runs and has driven in 32 runs. Even more impressive is his improved plate discipline: his 23.1% strikeout rate is the lowest of his three-year career.
While his performance at the plate has improved, his fielding has taken a step back. After committing 7 errors in 131 games last season, Abreu already has 5 errors in 61 games in the outfield. In addition, after enjoying a 3.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) season last season, Abreu’s WAR has dropped to 1.2, suggesting he’s playing closer to league average overall.
This week, the #1 prospect in baseball, Roman Anthony, was called up to the big leagues. This could spell trouble for Abreu and his future as a Red Sock. Anthony has been dominant in the minor leagues. Per MLB.com, in Triple-A Worcester, Anthony played 58 games and hit 10 home runs with a .288 batting average. What’s more impressive is that he had 51 walks compared to 56 strikeouts. More impressively, Anthony had seen time at all three outfield positions and had yet to make an error.
Now that Anthony is in the major leagues, the Sox can boast an outfield of All-Star Jarren Durran in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, and Roman Anthony in right field. As a result, there may not be an everyday spot for Abreu in the lineup. Unless the Red Sox want to keep three starting-caliber outfielders on their bench in Abreu, Rob Refsnyder, and Masataka Yoshida, it’s likely the team will explore trade options.
A move could help address other roster needs, such as a thinning bullpen or an upgrade at first base. While Abreu has value, the Sox must prioritize fit, flexibility, and long-term planning. If Anthony produces like his projections suggest, Abreu could become a valuable trade chip at the trade deadline.
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