Brayan Bello Has Become the Red Sox's Most Underrated Trade Chip

[Alex Mayes]

Right after Christmas, MLB Trade Rumors reported that Brayan Bello is receiving trade interest from other teams around the league. They went on to report that the Red Sox have “quietly shopped” the young right-hander throughout the offseason, although the source that shared the information pushed back on that report. While it may seem odd that the team would be either shopping or entertaining trades involving Bello at first, it makes some sense when you think about the additions the team has made this offseason. 

So far, the Red Sox have acquired RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Johan Oviedo, and RHP Ryan Watson. While Watson will figure into the bullpen moving forward, both Gray and Oviedo should be fixtures in the starting rotation. Currently, Gray slots into the number two slot in the rotation, but Oviedo is a pitcher in the same vein as Bello. Having two groundball-dominant, low-strikeout type of pitchers throwing back-to-back in the same rotation isn’t the most ideal situation for any club, but especially one that has question marks at either second or third base as of right now. 

What makes Bello intriguing for other clubs is his contract. He has four years left of a six-year, $55 million contract with a club option for 2030. He’s young, cost-controlled, and has the ceiling of a poor man's number two starter. Those reasons are why it’s a bit surprising that the Red Sox are willing to entertain trades involving him, but this the point of building up depth.

It’s fairly obvious at this point that Craig Breslow has a preferred type of starter that he wants to sign. Breslow seems to prefer tall, heavy, lanky starters with a plus option for a fastball. Bello, standing 6’1” and 195 lbs with a fastball that tops out at 95mph but is the fifth option in his pitch mix, is the opposite of that profile. He's a dependable arm in the rotation, but if the right deal is on the table, he’s not irreplaceable by any means.

The other factor that could be prompting the Red Sox to look to trade Bello is that there are other names coming through the system that will need playing time sooner or later. Payton Tolle showed just how high his ceiling can be during his cup of coffee with the big-league club, Connelly Early was given a much longer leash in the Wild Card round than Bello was, and recently-acquired LHP Jake Bennett is the ideal type of pitcher Breslow wants working with pitching coach Andrew Bailey. The Red Sox have traded some of their pitching depth this offseason to acquire Gray and Willson Contreras, but they are still in a position to promote young arms to fill Bello’s vacated spot if he’s dealt.

If Bello is moved in a deal, it would have to be in a trade for someone who can solidify one of the option infield spots or in a deal that nets the Red Sox a true number two starter. Would a team like the Royals be interested in Bello in addition to someone like Jarren Duran? Would the Nationals or Marlins? The answers to those questions remain to be seen right now, but it's clear the Red Sox's wheeling and dealing is far from done this offseason.

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[JoeBrady]

It's all about marginal improvement.  If we think our #7 will provide results similar to Bello, you make the move.  Perhaps look at the 2027 rotation.

• Crochet
• Tolle
• Early
• Oviedo
• Witherspoon, Crawford, Harrison, 
• 6-7-8 Bennett, Uberstine, Sandlin, etc.

I think that's good, but less than elite.  But is replacing Oviedo, for example, with Bello, a game-changer?  Probably not.  And since I think we still need a #2 in '26, '27, etc., combining Duran + Bello might be beneficial for our long term interests.

And you linked the wrong Watson.

[notin]

On 1/3/2026 at 10:37 AM, JoeBrady said:

It's all about marginal improvement.  If we think our #7 will provide results similar to Bello, you make the move.  Perhaps look at the 2027 rotation.

• Crochet
• Tolle
• Early
• Oviedo
• Witherspoon, Crawford, Harrison, 
• 6-7-8 Bennett, Uberstine, Sandlin, etc.

I think that's good, but less than elite.  But is replacing Oviedo, for example, with Bello, a game-changer?  Probably not.  And since I think we still need a #2 in '26, '27, etc., combining Duran + Bello might be beneficial for our long term interests.

And you linked the wrong Watson.

The Watson the Sox acquired was the one from the Giants organization that was an Auburn teammate of Richard Fitts.  
 

In defense of the author, the two like-named right-handed pitchers are both from southern states, attended division one schools in the south in their home states, and are only 17 months apart in age…