Craig Breslow has a knack for finding trade partners for players he needs to clear from the 40-man roster. It surprised Boston Red Sox fans to see relievers Zack Kelly and Eduardo Rivera designated for assignment instead of traded on November 2, before the 60-day injured list closed.
But on November 3, Breslow managed to find a trade partner for Rivera — one we all could've seen coming. Boston traded Rivera to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitching prospect Juan García, according to Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.
The Red Sox and Cardinals have been frequent trade partners in the last few years, since former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom took over in their front office. Bloom knows Boston's farm system and development strengths well and he sees something in Rivera. The Sox got Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray from St. Louis before the 2026 season.
Rivera, 23, has pitched just 10 innings in the major leagues. The Red Sox called him up for two different stints in the bullpen, one in April and one in June. Rivera allowed seven runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts and six walks over four appearances.
Red Sox trade recently-DFA'd reliever Eduardo Rivera to Cardinals for minor league pitching prospect
Rivera in 2026 reached Triple-A for the first time. He logged a 2.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 55.2 frames last season between the Sea Dogs and WooSox. He also made two appearances for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Rivera finished the 2026 season on the 60-day IL with a lumbar strain. According to Ari Alexander of 7News Boston, Rivera is expected to be ready to pitch by Opening Day and he's expected to pitch over the winter for Santurce in Puerto Rico.
García, the pitching prospect the Sox get in exchange for Rivera, is 18 years old and hasn't pitched above rookie ball. He's clocked a 3.87 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 90.2 innings across two seasons in the Domincan Summer League.
García is a long way from the major leagues and Rivera's stuff shows promise, but it's good that Breslow was able to get any return for Rivera at all. Letting players walk for nothing, especially ones with minor league options, is always the less ideal outcome, even if the trade return is a complete wild card.
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