Red Sox acquire Minors OF prospect, Draft pick for Priester

BOSTON -- While the Red Sox viewed Quinn Priester as a key member of their organizational rotation depth, the chance to acquire a promising Minor League outfielder in Yophery Rodriguez from the Brewers was too good to pass up.

The Brewers have been decimated by injuries to their pitching staff early in the season, and that led to their aggression in parting with Rodriguez -- their No. 7 prospect who will become the Red Sox's No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- in addition to a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the 2025 Draft and either a player to be named or cash considerations. The clubs announced the trade on Monday morning.

TRADE DETAILS
Brewers get: RHP Quinn Priester
Red Sox get: OF Yophery Rodriguez, Competitive Balance Round A pick in 2025 Draft, player to be named or cash considerations

Priester competed for a spot in Boston’s starting rotation through the end of Spring Training, but he lost out in the competition to Richard Fitts and Sean Newcomb, who are the Nos. 4 and 5 starters for the Red Sox until Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito (low grade left hamstring) are ready to return.

“I think that’s kind of dealing from a position of strength,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “As an organization, we have to do what’s best. He’s a good kid. He did everything that we asked him to do in the offseason. He came into Spring Training a lot stronger. He had a good Spring Training. But this is where we’re at right now."

An additional option presented itself for the Sox on Sunday night, when righty Hunter Dobbins, the club’s No. 13 prospect, pitched five solid innings against the Cardinals to pick up the win in his Major League debut. Dobbins was selected as the team’s 27th man for the day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez, 19, earned the Brewers’ top signing bonus ($1.5 million) in the January 2023 international class and has already made it to the High-A Midwest League to begin ‘25. He was 5-for-12 with a double and a triple in his first three games with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this season.

The Dominican Republic native has hit .254 (155-for-610) with 37 doubles, nine triples, 13 home runs, 96 runs scored, 96 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 165 career Minor League games.

"Yophery is a tremendous kid,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. “He’s super respectful, one of the most kind-hearted kids you’ll ever come across. He’s a really good worker and he’s really talented. Those are obviously good ingredients. It’s tough to give up a guy like that, but we felt like we were dealing from a position of strength there with our outfield depth at the Major League level and in the system.”

The Red Sox acquired Priester at last year’s Trade Deadline for infielder Nick Yorke in a swap of first-round picks who both had trouble living up to expectations with their original organizations.

Priester started the regular-season finale for Boston last season, firing five strong innings (four hits, one earned run) to earn the win against the Rays. The righty made one start for Triple-A Worcester this season, allowing six hits and two runs while walking none and striking out six over four frames.

The Red Sox’s 40-man roster is now at 39.