On Monday, the Boston Red Sox made a significant move. They traded pitcher Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers for a haul.
In return, the Sox received outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, a player to be named later, and cash considerations. Boston acquired Priester for top infield prospect Nick Yorke in a trade with the Pirates organization last season. Now, the Red Sox have flipped him for quite a lot in return.
Rodriguez is a 19-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder currently in High-A. He was Milwaukee's seventh-rated prospect in their system. Rodriguez is off to a hot start (5-for-12 with a double and a triple). There doesn't seem to be a massive carrying tool in his game, but he's well-rounded and could continue to improve in all areas.
The Competitive Balance Round A pick is big, and Boston gets, essentially, another first-round draft pick in 2025. The Red Sox have drafted exceptionally well in recent years, and adding more fuel to one of their biggest strengths is massive.
Red Sox surprisingly trade Quinn Priester to Brewers for a haul, including top prospect and high draft pick
Per source:
— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) April 7, 2025
Boston Red Sox trade Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league OF Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, a player to be named later, and cash considerations.
A player to be named later and cash considerations speak for themselves. The Red Sox will get some cash in return and a player at a later date. The player will likely be a prospect in the low levels of the minor leagues, but you never know.
Importantly, this move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Could the Red Sox have plans for that spot? Is the spot being opened up for Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony? Or could they just be giving themselves some flexibility to their 40-man options?
Priester's time in the Boston organization was short. He made one start for the Red Sox (five innings of one-run ball) and spent the rest of his time in Triple-A. The Red Sox have other pitching depth options. Hunter Dobbins put out a great start in his MLB debut, and Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are close to returning.
The Red Sox traded from a position of depth to give themselves some roster flexibility (and added a great prospect on top of it all).