Rays Acquire Top Prospect Luis Guerrero From Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays have pulled off a minor but intriguing transaction. This deal could shake up both teams’ depth charts as they look ahead to the 2026 season.

The trade sends hard-throwing right-hander Luis Guerrero to Tampa Bay. In return, Boston gets versatile infielder Tristan Gray.

Neither player is a household name, but each brings something specific to the table. Both clubs seem to think these skill sets fit their current needs.

The Red Sox also made a related move, designating first baseman Nate Lowe for assignment. This cleared a 40-man roster spot for Gray.

Red Sox Move Guerrero After DFA

Boston recently designated Guerrero for assignment after he went unclaimed on waivers. The 25-year-old righty has shown flashes—he’s posted a 2.63 ERA over 27 1/3 big league innings.

Guerrero’s got a fastball that sits near 97 mph, which always turns heads. But control issues have dogged him, limiting his impact so far.

He’s walked almost 15% of hitters in the majors. In Triple-A, the command problems have looked even worse.

Why Tampa Bay Took the Gamble

The Rays love to take chances on pitchers with raw stuff and then tweak their mechanics. Guerrero fits that approach to a tee.

Tampa Bay’s bullpen has space for a project arm, especially after letting closer Pete Fairbanks walk by declining his $11 million option.

Guerrero has two minor league options left, which means the Rays can experiment with him without locking up a roster spot right away.

Elbow Concerns but Upside Potential

Guerrero ended the 2025 season on the injured list with an elbow issue. That’s a concern for any pitcher, honestly.

But Tampa Bay still went out and got him, so they must feel good about his recovery. If he’s healthy, that velocity and movement could make him a late-inning weapon—something the Rays have a knack for developing.

Boston’s Return: Tristan Gray

Boston picked up Tristan Gray, a 29-year-old infielder with a reputation for defensive versatility. He’s played all four infield spots with Tampa Bay.

Gray appeared in 30 games in 2025, hitting .231/.282/.410 with three homers and five doubles. Sure, those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but his Triple-A stats look a lot better—.270 average, .333 OBP, and a .472 slugging percentage.

Gray’s Role in Boston

The Red Sox view Gray as a depth piece. He could land in Worcester or maybe snag a bench spot in the majors, depending on how the offseason shakes out.

His ability to cover multiple infield positions gives Boston some much-needed insurance, especially if injuries strike or if the front office makes more moves in free agency or trades.

Nate Lowe Designated for Assignment

To make room for Gray, the Red Sox designated Nate Lowe for assignment. Lowe is mostly known for his time at first base, but his future with Boston is now up in the air.

This move hints that the Red Sox might be leaning toward more versatile bench options instead of traditional power-hitting corner infielders.

• Tampa Bay is betting on Guerrero’s fastball and hoping their pitching coaches can iron out his control issues.
• Boston is adding infield flexibility with Gray, which should help if injuries pile up.
• Both teams shuffled their rosters to make this trade happen, showing how even small deals can trigger bigger changes.

Final Thoughts

Trades like these usually slip by without much fanfare. Still, sometimes they end up making a real difference down the line.

If Tampa Bay’s pitching coaches can figure out Guerrero, he might become a solid bullpen arm. Gray, on the other hand, gives Boston steady defense and a reliable bat for that long, grinding 162-game season.

Both teams are taking a bit of a gamble here. But honestly, it feels like the kind of move that could quietly solve a few headaches before spring training even starts.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox Trade Luis Guerrero To Rays