New Twins infielder Tristan Gray acquired from the Red Sox will get a chance to compete for a roster spot in Minnesota. (Image / Tampa Bay Rays)
The Boston Red Sox made a minor roster move on Wednesday, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster as they prepare to make room for free-agent left-hander Ranger Suárez.
Boston traded infielder Triston Gray—acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in November—to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor-league catcher Nate Baez. Gray was originally obtained as part of the deal that sent reliever Luis Guerrero to Tampa Bay at the start of the offseason.
A 29-year-old left-handed hitter, Gray appeared in 30 games for the Rays during the 2025 season, batting .231 with a .282 on-base percentage, .410 slugging percentage, and a .693 OPS. He recorded three home runs and five doubles across 86 plate appearances and also brings major-league experience with the Athletics and Marlins.
Gray was expected to compete for a bench role during spring training and remained engaged with the organization throughout the winter. He attended Fenway Fest earlier this month and also participated in Trevor Story’s offseason teammate camp in the Dallas area.
In return, the Red Sox add organizational depth and positional versatility in Nate Baez, who split time between catcher and first base during the 2025 season. Baez appeared in 45 games at catcher and 43 games at first base across High-A and Double-A, while also seeing time as a designated hitter.
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Baez thrived at High-A Cedar Rapids, posting a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage, .453 slugging percentage, and a .909 OPS over 45 games, scoring 34 runs with three home runs and 23 RBIs. He earned a midseason promotion to Double-A Wichita, where he appeared in 51 games, batting .237 with five home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .697 OPS while adjusting to advanced pitching.
Overall, Baez hit a combined .278 with eight home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .794 OPS across the two levels in 2025, reaching Double-A for the first time in his career.
An Arizona State product, Baez turns 25 in May and was selected by Minnesota in the 12th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Across four minor-league seasons, he has logged 932 2/3 innings behind the plate and 684 2/3 innings at first base, giving Boston a flexible depth option at two premium positions.
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With Gray now out of the picture, the Red Sox will give Kristian Campbell, Nate Eaton, Romy González, David Hamilton, and Nick Sogard the opportunity to compete for spots on the Opening Day 26-man roster, particularly in reserve infield roles.
Boston remains active across both the free-agent and trade markets as it continues to reshape the infield. Story is locked in at shortstop, while Willson Contreras is expected to anchor first base. Marcelo Mayer is also projected to factor into the infield mix, likely settling in at either second or third base depending on how the remainder of the offseason unfolds.