The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant trade just days before the Winter Meetings kick off in Orlando, Florida – a move that could weaken them in the short term and further reinforce to Paul Skenes that they are not a winning franchise.
This was reported by ESPN‘s Jeff Passan: the Pirates are sending right-hander Johan Oviedo to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package headlined by outfield prospect Jhostynxon García, nicknamed “The Password.”
Left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzmán will also head to Boston as part of the deal, while Pittsburgh will receive one additional player.
A rotation with Skenes… but without another quality arm
Oviedo originally came to Pittsburgh along with Malcom Núñez from the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline in the deal that sent José Quintana and Chris Stratton elsewhere.
The 27-year-old posted a 3.23 ERA in seven starts with the Pirates that year, then followed it up with a 4.31 ERA in 32 appearances during the 2023 season.
He wasn’t as fortunate in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and suffering a lat strain that delayed his return until August 4, 2025.
Across nine starts and 40 innings with Pittsburgh this season, Oviedo posted a 3.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts and a 1.215 WHIP.
Jhostynxon García was one of the most talked-about names at this past summer’s trade deadline when the Red Sox were buyers. He stayed in the organization at that time, but now he’s headed to Pittsburgh.
Ranked as the No. 85 prospect in all of baseball and the No. 3 prospect in Boston’s system according to MLB Pipeline, it’s clear that García will arrive in Pittsburgh with enormous expectations.
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