Over the past two years, Jhostynxon Garcia has risen through the ranks to become one of the Boston Red Sox’s top prospects. However, he always faced difficult odds of breaking through in Boston given the club’s crowded outfield picture. Now, he’ll get his big-league opportunity elsewhere.
According to multiple reports, including MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Garcia has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates alongside minor league right-hander Jesus Travieso. In exchange, the Red Sox received right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego, and minor league catcher Adonys Guzman.
Samaniego has not yet made his MLB debut but was recently added to Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox are designating right-hander Cooper Criswell for assignment to clear space for Samaniego.
### Jhostynxon Garcia’s Performance and Potential
Garcia, 22, was ranked as Boston’s No. 6 prospect in Baseball America’s most recent Top 10 list. The outfielder, who has garnered the nickname “The Password” due to the unusual spelling of his name, led the Red Sox minor league system in home runs in each of the last two seasons.
This year, he batted .267 with 21 home runs, 75 RBI, and an .810 OPS in 114 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He also made his MLB debut in late August, appearing in five games and going 1-for-7 with a double and two walks.
### Johan Oviedo to Boost Red Sox Starting Rotation
Johan Oviedo, the 27-year-old right-hander heading to Boston, posted a 3.57 ERA over 40.1 innings in nine starts in the past season. Unfortunately, he missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. His return was further delayed after suffering a lat strain during spring training, sidelining him until early August.
Prior to the injury, Oviedo had a breakout 2023 season, making 32 starts with the Pirates and posting a 4.31 ERA over a career-high 177.2 innings. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds, Oviedo should provide the Red Sox with additional starting pitching depth. He effectively replaces Richard Fitts on the club’s depth chart after Fitts was traded to St. Louis in the Sonny Gray deal.
Oviedo is expected to be among several pitchers competing for one of the Red Sox’s last rotation spots in spring training. Others vying for these roles include Hunter Dobbins, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison.
### Additional Players Involved in the Trade
Tyler Samaniego is coming off a season where he posted a 3.99 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 38.1 innings over 30 appearances, mostly in Double-A. The former 15th-round pick will add left-handed relief depth to the Red Sox bullpen following the trades of Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy, and the possible free agency departures of Steven Matz and Justin Wilson.
Adonys Guzman, a fifth-round pick out of Arizona in this past summer’s draft, has so far appeared in only one professional game. Before turning pro, Guzman started his college career at Boston College before transferring to Arizona in 2024. During his junior season, he hit .328 with a .907 OPS.
Jesus Travieso, the other prospect headed to Pittsburgh, is an 18-year-old right-hander who signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2024. He struck out 90 batters in 64.2 innings this past season, dividing his time between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem.
—
This trade marks a new chapter for Jhostynxon Garcia and adds promising pieces to both the Red Sox and Pirates organizations as they look ahead to future success.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/12/04/report-red-sox-trade-password-to-pirates-for-rhp-johan-oviedo/