The Pittsburgh Pirates swung a deal last night, sending right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo as well as Minor League left-hander Tyler Samaniego and Minior League catcher Adonys Guzman in exchange for outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and Minor League right-hander Jesus Travieso.
Oviedo had Tommy John surgery in 2024, and then a lat injury in Spring Training shortened his 2025 season, as he pitched in 9 games, with a 2-1 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42 strikeouts as well as 23 walks in 40 innings pitched. He holds a career 4.24 ERA and a career WHIP of 1.38, as well as 321 strikeouts in 361 career innings pitched.
Getting Garcia in return is the centerpiece of the deal for the Pirates. He is the 85th ranked prospect overall by MLB Pipeline and was the third-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system. His scouting grades are:
Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
He hit .271 with 18 homers in and 58 RBI last season in AAA Worcester, the Red Sox Minor League affiliate, but had just 9 at-bats at the Major League level. The 22-year-old right-hander primarily plays in centerfield in the Minors but is mostly thought of as one of the corner slots for the Majors.
Travieso was the 26th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system, and is an 18-year-old with a high 90s fastball. He has 117 strikeouts in 86 Minor League innings.
So the Pirates have dealt some of their pitching for a bat, just not the pitcher we thought (Mitch Keller). And while Garcia was not yet Major League ready in 2025, he is considered a good offensive player and should be a nice piece for the future if (and it’s always the big If for the Pirates), they can play their cards right with him. He should be able to compete for an outfield spot in Spring Training, and with the Pirates in dire need of some juice in the outfield, this wasn’t a bad pickup for Bucs GM Ben Cherington. And Keller could still be on the market.
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