A Look at the Prospects Traded by the Boston Red Sox Prior to the 2024 Trade Deadline
Discussing potential big league contributors dealt from the Red Sox farm system this summer
After mainly standing pat in recent trading deadlines, the Boston Red Sox have made a handful of moves this summer to try and make a push for a wild card spot in 2024. Although they did not give up a lucrative haul for any of their assets acquired this summer, there is plenty of intrigue regarding the players that have left the organization in the last week.
Moises Bolivar / Dominican Summer League / Infielder / Right/Right / 17
After being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 22nd, it was clear it would not require much prospect capital to acquire James Paxton’s services. In need of more pitching depth after a post all-star break spiral, the Red Sox went to the southpaw to give them innings down the stretch. In return, they gave up Moises Bolivar, an infielder in the Dominican Summer League, who signed for ~$25,000 from Venezuela this past January.
The Greenville Drive's Cutter Coffey (3) enters the field before they take on Hudson Valley during the South Atlantic League championships at Flour Field in Greenville, S.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. / MCKENZIE LANGE/ Staff / USA TODAY
Cutter Coffey / High-A / Infielder / Right/Right / 20
With their second acquisition of the trade deadline, the Red Sox made their first and only trade for a position player, acquiring Danny Jansen from the Toronto Blue Jays. In exchange for Jansen, the Blue Jays received three minor leaguers, the most notable being infielder Cutter Coffey. The 20 year old was given a signing bonus of $1,847,500 by Boston after being selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, moving him off his commitment to Texas. Earlier this season, Coffey hit a home run in six consecutive games, a record-setting feat for Red Sox High-A affiliate Greenville Drive. Throughout his minor league career, the infielder has shown decent power with subpar on-base numbers. Starting the 2024 season on Greenville’s opening day roster, Coffey had 14 home runs in 271 plate appearances, good for a .463 slugging percentage. After playing a majority of his innings at shortstop in his first full professional season, Coffey has played more third base in 2024.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Eddinson Paulino #2 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the Spring Breakout game against the Atlanta Braves at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 16, 2024 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
Eddinson Paulino / AA / Infielder / Left/Right / 22
Although they did not make a splash on the buying or selling side, moving off the plethora of minor league infield depth was a clear focal point if a major leaguer that fits the Red Sox’ major league needs became available. Eddinson Paulino is a 22 year old infielder, headed to Toronto as part of the deal for Danny Jansen, is having a decent year against Eastern League pitching. From a tools perspective, Paulino grades out as average across the board, and sees right-handed pitching much better than left-handers. Signing with Boston for a $205,000 bonus in the summer of 2018, Paulino’s main value comes from being able to play third base, second base, and shortstop. Although he has not been given extensive opportunities in the outfield, it could be the versatility that can get him in the big leagues. Paulino received recognition as a prospect after his 2022 breakout season as a 19-year-old at A-level Salem, where he slashed .266/.359/.469, but it is notable his power numbers have decreased each season since then. The versatile infielder will have to be added to Toronto’s 40-man roster this offseason, or else he will be eligible to be selected in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
Gilberto Batista / A / Right-handed pitcher / 19
Seemingly the “throw-in” piece of the trade for Danny Jansen, Gilberto Batista is a 6’ right-hander who received decent recognition for clocking his fastball in the low-90s for the Red Sox’ Dominican Summer League squad last year, where he was named the 2023 Red Sox Minor League Latin Program Pitcher of the Year. Batista has the arm talent worth taking a flier on to finalize a trade, and will not be eligible in the Rule 5 Draft for another four seasons.
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 08: Nick Yorke #3 of the Boston Red Sox fields the ball in the third inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Nick Yorke / AAA / 2B/LF / Right/Right / 22
In a trade where Pittsburgh and Boston traded from high-minor league surpluses, 2020 first round pick Nick Yorke was swapped in a one-for-one deal with right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester. After playing the most games (110) in his professional career for AA Portland in 2023, Yorke was shockingly numbered out of an Opening Day promotion to Worcester this past spring. Starting his AAA stint on June 5, Yorke has slashed .310/.408/.490 at the level, while offering some versatility, playing 15 of his 38 games in left field, a part of his profile that was not present until this season. With his athleticism and arm strength grading out as average, Yorke being limited to only second base and left field may create an awkward fit unless he produces with the bat. Considering Pittsburgh’s infield depth at the major league level compared to Boston’s, it is fair to say Yorke’s Rule 5 Draft eligibility this offseason may not come into play, as he very well could debut at the big league level prior to season’s end, an opportunity he would most likely not get in Boston.
Ovis Portes / A / Right-handed pitcher / 19
With their first Deadline Day trade, the Red Sox acquired right-hander Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds for bullpen help down the stretch. In return, they made a one-for-one swap, returning fellow right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes to Cincinnati. Although he played in the Dominican Summer League in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons - a feat that does not often result in a player reaching the affiliated levels of the minor leagues - the arm talent has been undeniable, as his fastball is reported to sit in the mid-90s, with a top end velocity of 99 mph. Listed at 6’4, 170 lbs, the right-hander seems to be quite projectable. Signed for ~$25,000 out of Antigua & Barbuda in March 2022, Portes’ Rule 5 Draft eligibility in 2026 may come into play considering he has only reached the lowest level of affiliated professional ball.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 18: Boston Red Sox third baseman Matthew Lugo (91) reaches to make a catch a throw from the catcher during the MLB spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 18, 2023, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Matthew Lugo / AAA / Outfielder / Right/Right / 23
In a last-second deal with the Los Angeles Angels, Boston acquired another right-handed pitcher in Luis Garcia. In exchange, Los Angeles received four minor leaguers from Boston’s farm system, with Matthew Lugo being the headliner. After developing mainly as a shortstop in rookie and A-ball, Lugo started getting a fair share of time at third base and left field in 2023, where his production plateaued, sporting a <.300 on-base percentage in AA Portland. In 2024, Lugo has done a complete 180 at the plate, as he has slashed .285/.375/.567 while almost exclusively playing left field. Although Los Angeles did not move off any of their major league outfield assets over the deadline, Lugo should see a lot better opportunities to play at the big league level in Anaheim as opposed to Boston. If he does not debut for the Angels this year, he will have to be added to their 40-man roster to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Niko Kavadas #35 of the Scottsdale Scorpions takes batting practice prior to the game between the Surprise Saguaros and the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Niko Kavadas / AAA / First baseman / Left/Right / 25
On the surface, trading Niko Kavadas for a rental relief pitcher alone may look confusing, considering the gaudy numbers he has put up in the International League this year. However, it is notable the left-handed bat has only played first base in his professional career, pigeonholing him into one spot on the diamond. Throughout his minor league career, Kavadas has struck out in 32% of his plate appearances, a number that will be difficult to sustain in the major leagues. The Notre Dame product has seen significantly more success against right-handed pitching as opposed to left-handers, something that could identify his role at the big league level. Kavadas will also have to be added to the Angels’ 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
PORTLAND, ME - AUGUST 8: Sea Dogs' Ryan Zeferjahn delivers a pitch against the Hartford Yard Goats on Tuesday. (Staff photo by Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Ryan Zeferjahn / AAA / Right-handed pitcher / 26
Another piece dealt to Los Angeles in exchange for Luis Garcia, Ryan Zeferjahn has showcased big time stuff in his professional career, striking out 11.3 batters per 9 innings across 5 minor league seasons. After being in the starting rotation his entire collegiate career, Zeferjahn was slotted in a relief role while in High-A Greenville in 2022. Since then, he has shown potential as a legitimate major league bullpen piece, pairing a hard slider with an upper 90s fastball, but his struggles with command have kept him from debuting in the big leagues. Likely to be added to Los Angeles’ 40-man roster in the next few months, the 6’5” right-hander should get the chance to showcase his premium stuff soon.
Yeferson Vargas / A / Right-handed pitcher / 19
Along with receiving three AAA players for Luis Garcia, the Los Angeles Angels received A-ball right-hander Yeferson Vargas, who made his affiliated ball debut on the week of the trade. At 6’1”, 215 lbs, Vargas seems close to being filled out physically, but worth taking a flier on.