The Red Sox announced they traded four prospects to acquire an additional bullpen arm before the trade deadline on Tuesday. In exchange for Luis García from the Los Angeles Angels, Boston sent outfielder Matthew Lugo, first baseman Niko Kavadas, and right-handed pitchers Ryan Zeferjahn and Yeferson Vargas.
Lugo had a solid performance this season, hitting .285/.375/.567 with 16 home runs, 20 doubles, and 54 RBIs in 78 games split between Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland. At 23, he showed promising power and consistency.
Kavadas recorded a .281 batting average with 20 doubles and 17 home runs in 83 games with Worcester. Since being drafted by the Red Sox in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, he accumulated 271 hits, 67 home runs, and 224 RBIs over 1,068 at-bats.
Zeferjahn had a 3.52 ERA over 25 games with Portland and Worcester, striking out 53 batters in 38 1/3 innings. His career ERA stands at 4.90 in 233 1/3 innings in the minors.
Vargas had a 4.52 ERA in 23 appearances across the Dominican Summer League, Florida Complex League, and Single-A Salem.
All four prospects are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made the deal to bolster the bullpen with a short-term addition.
García, who joined the Angels on a one-year, $4.25 million contract after two seasons with the Padres, posted a 5-1 record with a 3.71 ERA and four saves in 43 2/3 innings this year. Over his 12-year career, he has a 4.02 ERA in 512 2/3 innings with various teams including the Angels, Padres, Rangers, Cardinals, and Phillies.
