BOSTON -- After making a big splash by trading for All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman earlier on Monday, the Red Sox made two additional moves in the final hour leading up to the 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline that could also aid the club’s pursuit of a postseason spot.
Shortstop Marcelo Mayer, who had a hard time staying healthy and living up to his potential in his first two Major League seasons, was dealt to the Giants for lefty reliever Erik Miller and Minor League outfielder Carlos Gutierrez.
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Additionally, the Sox added right-handed-hitting outfielder Eli White from the Braves for Minor League righty Tyler Uberstine.
In particular, the addition of Miller could make a big impact on interim manager Chad Tracy’s bullpen.
TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox receive: LHP Erik Miller, OF Carlos Gutierrez (Giants' No. 17 prospect)
Giants receive: INF Marcelo Mayer
While Boston’s bullpen has been among the best in the game, particularly in recent weeks, the 6-foot-5, 269-pound Miller gives the Red Sox the power pitcher they lacked from the left side. Miller’s sinker has averaged 96.9 mph this season. His other main weapon is a slider. Miller sometimes throws a four-seamer and a changeup.
In 38 appearances this season, MIller, 28, has a 2.76 ERA. In 32 2/3 innings, he has 22 walks and 45 strikeouts. The former Stanford product was selected by the Phillies in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft. He was traded to the Giants on Jan. 9, 2023, for Yunior Marte.
The fourth pick in the 2021 Draft, Mayer is currently on the 10-day injured list recovering from a bone stress reaction in his left ulna. The left-handed hitter suffered a left wrist injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the final two months of the ‘25 season. Unfortunately, health issues have been a consistent problem for Mayer even dating back to his years in the Minors.
Mayer won the job as the starting second baseman this spring, but moved to shortstop when Trevor Story suffered a sports hernia injury in the middle of May.
The Red Sox hoped that Mayer moving back to his natural position would open him up offensively, but it didn’t take.
In 114 games and 364 plate appearances over the past two seasons, Mayer had a batting line of .223/.278/.346 with seven homers and 32 RBIs.
White, 32, is a veteran platoon player with a batting line of .233/.285/.406 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 144 plate appearances this season for the Braves.
TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox receive: OF Eli White
Braves receive: RHP Tyler Uberstine (Boston's No. 11 prospect)
Interestingly, White performed far better on the road this season than at Truist Park in Atlanta.
In 41 road games, he has a .299 average with a .337 on-base percentage and an .818 OPS. The right-handed hitter has made 18 starts in right field, 10 in left field, six in center field and one as the designated hitter. Fenway Park could fit his swing nicely.