The Boston Red Sox are expected to undergo significant change heading into the 2026 MLB season. After returning to the postseason last year, their run was cut short with a quick exit at the hands of the New York Yankees in the AL wild card round.
Boston has already been aggressive on the trade market, acquiring veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the offseason to pair with ace Garrett Crochet at the top of the rotation.
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In early December, the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates completed a notable five-player deal, sending top outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and Jesus Travieso to Pittsburgh in exchange for pitcher Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex CoraEric Hartline-Imagn Images
These moves show that Boston is determined to strengthen its pitching staff by any means necessary. With a surplus of outfielders, Jarren Duran has also been made available in trade discussions, a name that has surfaced frequently in recent years.
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The front office appears committed to reshaping the roster and building a more balanced team capable of advancing deeper into October.
On Monday, the Red Sox swung another deal, this time with the Washington Nationals, acquiring left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett.
“The #RedSox today acquired LHP Jake Bennett from the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Luis Perales,” the team announced on X.
Neither player has debuted in MLB. Perales, the pitcher Boston parted with, has spent his entire professional career in the Red Sox organization since signing as an international prospect out of Venezuela. At just 22 years old, he projects as a potential starter if he can advance beyond the Triple-A level.
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Bennett, meanwhile, was the Nationals’ second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 25-year-old left-hander has yet to reach Triple-A but has impressed in two minor league seasons, posting a 2.67 ERA across 34 games. His profile suggests he is more of a long-term piece for Boston rather than an immediate contributor.
For the Red Sox, the acquisition reflects their continued emphasis on building pitching depth. Bennett adds another promising arm to the system, giving the organization a potential starter down the line. If Bennett continues to develop, he could emerge as part of the next wave of arms that help stabilize Boston’s rotation in future seasons.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.