On June 9, the Red Sox selected the contract of farmhand Brian Van Belle, hinting at a major league debut for the 28-year-old righty, who was signed to a minor-league deal in 2020 after going undrafted. However, he spent all of one day in Boston during the Red Sox's series opener against the Rays on Monday and did not take the mound before being DFA'ed on Tuesday.
The next day, the Red Sox traded prospect Andy Lugo for struggling Twins pitcher Jorge Alcala, who was added to the 40-man roster, a move that necessitated the roster shuffle that sent Van Belle off on waivers.
On Saturday, the Red Sox announced a trade that will send Van Belle to the Reds. Boston will receive cash in return.
Given that we were never able to see exactly what Van Belle might be capable of in the majors, this might not seem like a huge loss, but his 2.29 ERA in 51 innings (12 appearances, eight starts) for the Triple-A WooSox, and some favorable comparisons between him and Reds starter Brady Singer, could lead the Red Sox to regret this one down the line.
The #RedSox today traded RHP Brian Van Belle to the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for cash considerations.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 14, 2025
Red Sox trade reliever Brian Van Belle to Reds after Twins deal for Jorge Alcala
The Reds have already optioned Van Belle to Triple-A Louisville, but his presence on the 40-man roster would make it easy for the Reds to bring him up to Cincinnati in the event of an injury to a current member of the pitching staff. Van Belle's experience as a starter who has pitched up to seven innings in Triple-A, and a bulk bullpen arm who has pitched up to 2 2/3 innings in relief, could make him a versatile asset to Cincinnati's bullpen, if he can prove he can bridge the minor-to-major league gap.
Alcala is on the 26-man but has yet to make an appearance. He had a 8.88 ERA in 24 1/3 innings for Minnesota before he was dealt, so the Red Sox didn't exactly add a guy who looks like he could be a sneaky ringer out of the bullpen.
Maybe something about Van Belle made Boston hesitant to actually use him after his promotion. If so, that's the Reds' problem now, but if he was just a roster crunch casualty and the Red Sox gave up a viable bullpen option for a nearly 9.00 ERA guy, that could come back to haunt them.