With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Boston Red Sox weren’t short on making moves on Saturday. However, they were mainly internal moves.
The Red Sox completed the Jahmai Jones trade, promoted a power-hitting prospect, placed a few 2026 draft prospects in High-A, and released a veteran from Triple-A. Things are moving in Boston.
According to Andrew Parker of SoxProspects, the Red Sox was transferred first-round pick Jake Schaffner (a shortstop) and second-round pick Owen Hull (an outfielder) to High-A Greenville. They’ll likely have made their debuts by the time you read this.
Their promotions created a bit of a roster problem, so the Red Sox promoted infielder Yoeilin Cespedes to Double-A (also via Parker).
To make room for Schaffner and Hull in Greenville, the Red Sox have promoted IF Yoeilin Cespedes to Double-A Portland, I’m told.
— Andrew Parker (@ByAndrewParker) August 1, 2026
Cespedes was at one time one of the most hyped prospects in the system, but an injury set him back just before his High-A debut. Franklin Arias leapfrogged him, and Arias hasn’t looked back.
Meanwhile, Cespedes struggled with consistency and finding his power in Single-A in 2025. The right-handed-hitting middle infielder somewhat surprisingly started the 2026 season in High-A despite those struggles.
Cespedes clearly figured things out in the offseason. Maybe he was just finally healthy, maybe he unlocked something in his swing. Whatever it was, he was looking more like the prospect fans were expecting back in 2024.
Red Sox promote Yoeilin Cespedes, release Tommy Kahnle, complete Jahmai Jones trade
The 20-year-old finishes his time in High-A slashing .249/.310/.477 with 22 doubles, one triple, and 18 home runs. He drove in 57 runs, scored 58, and stole two bases. There are still some swing-and-miss concerns, but almost everything else has been fantastic this season. Cespedes has even looked pretty decent defensively.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, Cespedes is a decent candidate to be moved. If he sticks around, having him in Portland hitting nukes should be fun. That offense could use a boost, and he’s worked himself back into being a legitimate prospect.
The Red Sox also placed left-handed pitcher Erik Rivera on the IL in Double-A. They also released right-handed pitcher Tommy Kahnle in Triple-A, ending his second stint in the organization rather quickly. Taking his place, right-handed pitcher Devin Sweet was reinstated from the developmental list.
Finally, the Sox completed a trade. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Boston is sending left-handed pitcher Jojo Ingrassia (High-A) to the Detroit Tigers as the Player to be Named Later to complete the trade for outfielder Jahmai Jones.
Jones has been an incredibly valuable addition for Boston, so it’s hard to complain. Ingrassia has dealt with several injuries in the past, and a Rule 5 decision was looming. However, the talent jumps off the page at you when you watch him on the mound. There’s legitimate swing-and-miss stuff, and he throws plenty of strikes. Ingrassia definitely feels like a future lefty bullpen arm in the majors.
That being said, the Red Sox added an impact bat to a playoff team, and they certainly aren’t short on pitching prospects. You have to spend money to make money.
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