Analyzing the four Red Sox prospects sent to Angels for Luis García

The Boston Red Sox had a busy trade deadline. Most of their moves focused on improving the big league club, which gives fans a reason to invest in the final stretch.

The last move the Red Sox made this deadline was for relief pitcher Luis García from the Los Angeles Angels.

In return for García, Boston sent four prospects to Los Angeles. Left fielder Matthew Lugo, first baseman Niko Kavadas, and right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn all came from Triple-A. Meanwhile, right-handed starter Yeferson Vargas came from Single-A.

Vargas is a lottery ticket prospect. He's a 19-year-old (turns 20 on Aug. 4) who made one start in Single-A before the trade. Vargas allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits in four innings. He struck out five batters and walked two.

Vargas was promising in the Florida Complex League earlier this year. However, he's far from the Majors, and the Red Sox have a lot of talented and exciting pitching prospects in the low levels of the minor leagues. Boston was dealing from a position of wealth.

The other three prospects all had something in common — they will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason. Lugo is a right-handed hitter, which is something the Red Sox need. He demolished Double-A pitching to start the year and has looked strong in Triple-A.

Analyzing the four Red Sox prospects sent to Angels for Luis García

However, he's turned into strictly a corner outfielder. Boston does not need more outfielders. He had no clear path to the Majors and likely wasn't someone they would protect in the Rule 5 draft (to do that, they would need to put him on the 40-man roster).

Kavadas is a left-handed hitting first baseman. He's been fantastic in Triple-A in 2024. His average has sky-rocketed, and the power is still there.

Earlier in the season, there was a need for him with Triston Casas out. However, Dom Smith has become a legitimate part of the Red Sox's lineup. Meanwhile, Casas is on a rehab assignment and is expected to be back in Boston soon.

There is nowhere on Boston's roster for Kavadas. The García trade cleared up another Rule 5 guy and will give Kavadas a chance to go to an organization that might give him the opportunity he deserves.

Ryan Zeferjahn had a 0.00 ERA in 13 2/3 innings in Double-A this season. The righty posted a 5.47 ERA in 24 2/3 innings in Triple-A but was better than the numbers for the most part. He was walking a few too many batters, but the strikeouts were great.

Zeferjahn allowed 10 of his 15 earned runs in Triple-A in three separate appearances (3 1/3 innings). He was great outside of that and can hit 100 MPH on his fastball. Zeferjahn could've been potential bullpen help, but instead, Boston swapped him for a proven bullpen arm. Out of the three Rule 5 guys, Zeferjahn had the best chance of being protected. However, it was far from a guarantee, and this trade tells you they weren't 100% on his status either.

The Red Sox gave up three guys who could contribute to a Major League team soon, but didn't have a path to the big league roster. Instead, they decided to get legitimate bullpen help. Vargas is a fun lottery ticket, and trading a lottery ticket isn't something anyone should lose too much sleep over. Let that be five-years-in-the-future-you's problem.

Hopefully, Lugo, Kavadas, and Zeferjahn will get the opportunity in the Major Leagues that they have earned. Sadly, there wasn't a path for them in Boston. Now, they have a chance to make it work in Los Angeles. As for the Red Sox, this was a great move to bolster the bullpen and make a legitimate playoff push.

Trade grade: B+

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