The Boston Red Sox made a move that turned heads ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline, and early on, the return is looking like a win.
Boston shipped former top prospect Marcelo Mayer to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-handed reliever Erik Miller and minor league outfielder Carlos Gutierrez. Mayer still hasn’t made his Giants debut, and there’s a reason for that: he’s dealing with an injury. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported on Aug. 24 that Mayer was not doing baseball activities at the time.
Mayer could still pan out in San Francisco down the line, but for now the health questions remain. Miller, meanwhile, has been exactly what the Red Sox hoped for and then some.
Since the trade, Miller has appeared in 10 games for Boston and has yet to allow an earned run. He’s worked 10 1/3 innings, posted an 18-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and put up a 0.76 FIP and a 0.968 WHIP.
He’s also struck out 15.7 batters per nine innings. Boston has gotten elite relief work, and the Giants have to feel the sting of losing him, especially with their bullpen sitting 19th in baseball with a 4.23 ERA.
Just Baseball noted on X that Miller is the only pitcher since the trade deadline who hasn’t allowed an earned run while striking out 11 or more batters per nine innings.
"The only pitcher since the trade deadline that hasn't allowed a run with 11+ K/9, min. 10 IP:ERIK MILLER‼️
What an addition Miller has been to Boston's bullpen! pic.twitter.com/5TzzBkMEBD"
Miller also comes with three more seasons of team control beyond 2026, which only adds to the appeal for Boston. Giving up Mayer was a bold call, but if Miller keeps pitching like this, the trade will look better and better for the Red Sox.
Part of what makes the deal easier to accept for Boston is the organization’s depth in the middle infield and at the infield corners. No. 1 overall prospect Franklin Arias is one step from the majors and tearing the cover off the ball.
Caleb Durbin looks like the third baseman of the future. Willson Contreras has time left on his deal beyond 2026 and will handle first base, while Arias should slide into one of the middle infield spots when he gets the call.
Trevor Story also has another season left on his contract in 2027 before a club option in 2028.
Boston has also gotten encouraging production this season from Nick Sogard, Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio.
So far, the Red Sox have turned a player who had struggled into a reliever who could be a long-term bullpen fixture. Right now, that’s a strong outcome for Boston.
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