The Red Sox aren’t done making moves. After their quick playoff exit last season, Boston has been wheeling and dealing all winter, and they’re still looking for that final piece to complete their infield puzzle.
So far, the Red Sox have been busy. They pulled off two big trades with the Cardinals, landing Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. They also grabbed Johan Oviedo from Pittsburgh.
The real splash came when they signed Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal.
But there’s still a hole at second base. Boston needs some pop in the middle infield, and with February almost here, the free agent market is pretty thin. That’s got teams looking at trade possibilities instead.
Enter CJ Abrams. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller floated an idea that could solve Boston’s infield problem: send LHP Connelly Early and RHP Kyon Witherspoon to Washington for the shortstop.
“While Boston has about a dozen options for its starting rotation at this point, its middle infield situation remains highly suspect. Witherspoon was their first-round pick this past summer, several years away from making any sort of impact in the majors. But Early could be the ace of Washington’s staff in 2026.”
It’s a deal that makes sense for both sides. Washington would be trading away a quality middle infielder but getting back two pitchers with serious upside. Early could step right into their rotation and anchor it, while Witherspoon – Boston’s top draft pick last summer – represents the kind of long-term potential every rebuilding team wants.
The Nationals hold the cards here, though. Miller mentions they’ve got other potential suitors sniffing around Abrams, so Boston might have to sweeten the pot or move quickly if they want to get this done.
What makes this interesting is Boston’s rotation depth. They’ve got plenty of starting pitching options now, which means they can afford to part with a quality arm like Early. The way I see it, that’s exactly the kind of surplus you want to have when you’re trying to address a clear need elsewhere.
