Red Sox Trade Vaughn Grissom to Angels After Disappointing Tenure

The Boston Red Sox have officially moved on from the Vaughn Grissom experiment. They sent the once-hyped infielder to the Los Angeles Angels in a trade that says a lot about both teams and their infield depth.

Grissom came to Boston in the Chris Sale deal, and the hope was he’d become a lineup fixture. That never happened, and now the Angels will try to find the upside he flashed as a rookie with the Braves.

Vaughn Grissom’s Journey from Atlanta Promise to Boston Letdown

Grissom’s name first popped up with the Atlanta Braves. He looked like a future core piece—smooth defender, some offensive upside, and touted as an everyday shortstop for a contender.

A Strong Rookie Debut in Atlanta

With the Braves, Grissom showed why scouts liked his bat. Over 156 plate appearances in his rookie season, he put up an impressive .291/.353/.440 slash line.

That mix of contact ability, on-base skills, and gap power looked great for a middle infielder. Atlanta seemed to have found another homegrown success story.

But roster congestion and defensive questions made things complicated. When the Braves traded for Chris Sale, Boston saw an opportunity and pushed for Grissom as a main piece in the return.

Why the Vaughn Grissom Experiment Failed in Boston

From day one in Boston, the plan was obvious: give Grissom a real shot to become a central figure in the infield and at the plate. That never really materialized.

Injuries and Limited Production

Grissom just couldn’t stay healthy long enough to build momentum. In 2024, he managed only 114 plate appearances and hit .190, which is a long way from what he did in Atlanta.

The sample size was small, but rust, pressure, and health issues all piled up. He never found a rhythm.

The Red Sox could’ve been patient in theory, but the roster was crowded. As the club tried to contend and deal with other injuries, Grissom’s development faded into the background.

The Depth Chart Passed Him By

Boston’s infield picture changed fast. Trevor Story bounced back at shortstop, finally stabilizing a spot that had been a question mark.

At the same time, Ceddanne Rafaela took his chance at second base and ran with it. His athleticism and glove impressed everyone watching.

With both middle infield spots locked down, Grissom’s path basically vanished. He spent all of 2025 in the minors and quietly put up a respectable .270/.342/.441 line.

Those numbers show the talent’s still in there, but Boston clearly liked other major league options better.

Why the Angels Are Betting on Vaughn Grissom

For the Los Angeles Angels, this move is about upside and maybe a bit of hope. Their infield is a mess compared to Boston’s, and Grissom joins at a time when they need answers all over the diamond.

Playing Time at Second and Third Base

The Angels head into the next season with uncertainty at both second base and third base. That lack of clarity gives Grissom a real shot at regular at-bats—something he never got in Boston.

If he can even come close to his Atlanta form, Grissom might settle one of those positions and offer:

What the Red Sox Get in Isaiah Jackson

While Grissom is the big name, Boston didn’t let him go for nothing. In return, the Red Sox picked up outfielder Isaiah Jackson, a young prospect who’s more lottery ticket than sure thing right now.

A Raw, Developmental Project

Jackson is a recent eighth-round draft pick whose first taste of High-A ball was pretty rough. His debut at that level showed how raw his game is, and he struggled to make contact or handle advanced pitching.

For Boston, Jackson is a long-term project, not an immediate answer. The hope is that their player development group can shape his tools into something useful down the road.

What This Trade Means for Both Franchises

This deal feels like a reset button for both clubs. The Red Sox are basically admitting the Grissom part of the Chris Sale trade didn’t go the way they hoped.

The Angels see a shot to pick up a still-young infielder who’s flashed real big league talent. Boston’s making a bet on their depth and hoping for a developmental leap from Isaiah Jackson.

Los Angeles is taking a calculated risk, thinking maybe a new environment and regular playing time can help Vaughn Grissom rediscover the promise he once showed at the plate.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox trade former Braves standout Vaughn Grissom to Angels after disappointing tenure in Boston