MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox & Royals Becoming Trade Partners

June 17, 2025 ,
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora watches during 2025 game.

As MLB’s July 31 trade deadline creeps closer, front offices across the league are ramping up talks, and MLB insider with The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has identified an intriguing potential match: the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox. 

While each team is on the fringe of the playoff race, both have roster imbalances that could make them perfect trade partners. The Royals need a controllable corner outfield bat to juice their power-starved lineup. The Red Sox, on the other hand, have outfield depth but are seeking catching help and young arms. Enter Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran.

With top prospect Roman Anthony now in the majors, Boston suddenly has a logjam in the outfield. That could make either Abreu, a Gold Glove-caliber defender with pop, or Duran, a dynamic leadoff threat with speed and gap power, expendable. 

Bowden reports Kansas City has taken note, and would likely need to part with one of its top catching prospects, Blake Mitchell, Carter Jensen, or Ramon Ramirez, to pry one of them loose. It’s the kind of deal that could help both teams without sacrificing core pieces.

Royals Desperate for Outfield Power, Red Sox Ready to Deal

The Royals currently rank last in MLB in home runs and slugging from the outfield. Even with Jac Caglianone showing promise, Kansas City knows it can’t rely on rookies alone to carry them down the stretch. Abreu, who has 13 home runs and is under team control through 2028, fits their timeline perfectly. Duran, meanwhile, is slashing .271 with 18 doubles and seven triples and is also under team control for several more seasons. Both players offer the kind of upside Kansas City has lacked in its corner outfield spots.

For Boston, the emergence of Anthony forces tough decisions. Abreu’s recent injury won’t keep him out long, and once he returns, someone is getting squeezed out. With Carlos Narvaez holding steady behind the plate and Connor Wong’s inconsistencies continuing, targeting one of the Royals’ catching prospects would help the Red Sox balance their roster, especially with their top-end pitching prospects still developing.

A Rare Win-Win Scenario Brewing Before the Deadline

Bowden believes this is the type of trade that could come together quickly if both sides commit. The Royals get immediate offensive help without mortgaging their future, and the Red Sox add a young catcher or pitching depth to reinforce a position of need.

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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