A week after the Chicago Cubs stunned the Boston Red Sox by signing Alex Bregman out from under their feet, the Red Sox are still working to fill their vacancy at third base.
Most reporters seem to expect Boston to finish off its roster with a trade and don't foresee another free agent addition. Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is one of the latest trade candidates to capture Red Sox fans' attention, and many mock trades for him include outfielder Jarren Duran (subscription required).
The Sox have a logjam in their outfield and many fans (as well as fans of opposing teams) are keen to see if or when they'll clear it. Duran has been the subject of interest on the trade market for multiple seasons running and his status as a former All-Star and MVP candidate make him a solid addition to the Astros' rather underwhelming outfield. But Astros beat reporter Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported in an appearance on the "Crush City Territory" podcast that Houston may be more interested in someone else stationed in Boston's pastures.
"I think Jarren Duran, certainly on paper, profiles what the Astros would need, I would also offer you Wilyer Abreu," Rome said. "Wilyer Abreu is somebody that they know a lot better than Jarren Duran. Wilyer Abreu is not making any money."
Astros could be just as interested in Wilyer Abreu as Jarren Duran in potential Red Sox-Isaac Paredes trade
Abreu is a former Astros international free agent signing who came to Boston alongside Enmanuel Valdez in the 2022 Christian Vázquez trade. The outfielder was not a top prospect at the time of the trade (according to MLB Pipeline) and Houston may want a re-do with one of its former players.
Red Sox fans have been more hesitant to include Abreu in trade rumors as opposed to Duran due to his younger age, defensive skill and home run power. As Rome mentioned on the podcast, Abreu hasn't yet reached arbitration and he's due just more than the league minimum in 2026. He has two Gold Glove awards in his trophy case and he mashed the second-most home runs for Boston last season.
But those same qualities make Abreu a more attractive trade candidate to teams in the market for an outfielder. Duran has already flexed a high ceiling in MLB, but he's closer to free agency and would demand a significant return given his previous success.
The Red Sox seem unwilling to move Duran unless absolutely necessary — the San Diego Padres have coveted him for years and have not been able to bait the Red Sox into a trade, despite their outfield surplus. Eugenio Suárez is still available on the free agent market but his age and poor strikeout numbers could deter the Sox from signing him.
Rome noted that a deal between the Red Sox and Astros is not close which contrasts many of the rumors about a potential Paredes trade. It could be a while before Boston and Houston agree — especially with the Sox's outfield group involved — or it could pivot to different interests entirely.