I understand where you're coming from however with gap-exchange you're now asking the offense to bring the TE/H across the formation and kick out the C-gap defender, you're only answer on defense if you want to continue to utilize gap exchange is to play Quarters so you can bring #3 (the safety) down to play the spill putting him in a bind to both play the vertical of #2 and fill the alley against zone read. I'm sure you can see where the problem is, not to mention most offenses answer to gap exchange now is to not only to bring a TE/H to kick out the C-Gap defender but to also put a slot to the read side who's responsibility is to block #3 (the safety) either by physically blocking him or by occupying him with bubble action. Additionally, once the defense declares it's answer to zone read is to utilize gap exchange the simple adjustment is to have the OT wall off the B-gap defender and simply run inside zone as the Will has already taken himself out of the play.

If I were to run a base defense I'd rather put a player closer to the LOS in a bind rather than my safety as one false step by him and the balls over his head for a touchdown.

Other available options to combat gap exchange are Midline Read and Inverted Veer. Midline works due to the defenses need to formationaly put a a DT in the A-gap (DE = B-Gap, Will = C-gap), move the read inside and you no longer need to worry about gap-exchange, inverted veer works much in the same fashion as the defense isn't going to be able to play gap exchange to both sides of the formation and remain structurally sound against all the complementary plays.