On November 18, the Boston Red Sox made an initial move in their offseason by acquiring infielder Tristan Gray from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade involving reliever Luis Guerrero. However, Gray’s stay with Boston was brief as he was traded again, this time to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league catcher and first baseman Nate Baez. This transaction reportedly occurred to create space on the 40-man roster for new free agent Ranger Suárez, whose signing will be officially announced at a press conference at Fenway Park.
Gray, 29, was anticipated to vie for a utility role during spring training but now heads to Minnesota’s camp instead. The Red Sox are shifting their focus to other utility options, including Kristian Campbell, Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton, and Nick Sogard. The team is actively working to strengthen its infield, which is expected to include Willson Contreras, Trevor Story, and likely Marcelo Mayer. While Gray was considered a solid depth option due to his ability to be sent to the minors without restrictions, the organization appears to be exploring different paths for their roster.
In his career, Gray has played in 30 games for the Rays during the 2025 season, achieving a batting average of .231 with a .282 on-base percentage, a .410 slugging percentage, and an OPS of .693, which includes three home runs and five doubles over 86 plate appearances. Having experience with both the Athletics and Marlins, Gray has demonstrated versatility at the major league level. He recently participated in Fenway Fest and attended a camp organized by his teammate Trevor Story in Dallas.
Baez, turning 25 in May, has shown promise after reaching Double-A in 2025. He posted an impressive combined average of .278, contributing eight homers, 54 RBIs, and a .794 OPS across two levels (High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita). The Arizona State alumnus was selected in the 12th round of the 2022 draft by Minnesota and has a track record of effectively splitting time between catcher and first base while also serving as a designated hitter. Over four minor league seasons, he has accumulated substantial playing time both behind the plate and at first base, totaling 932 and 684.2 innings, respectively.
Baez’s arrival adds to the Red Sox’s expanding list of catching prospects this offseason, which has included the acquisitions of Adonys Guzman, Ronny Hernandez, and Luke Heyman, alongside veteran Jason Delay being signed to a minor league contract. The Red Sox’s decision to pivot towards enhancing their catching depth reflects a proactive approach in their offseason strategy, especially with Suárez’s lucrative five-year, $130 million contract secured following his successful physical in Boston. This move illustrates the team’s ambition to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season, showcasing their commitment to both immediate and future success.