Red Sox trade for lefty reliever with MLB time, ship Mickey Gasper to Twins

Red Sox trade for lefty reliever with MLB time, ship Mickey Gasper to Twins
Jovani Moran is joining the Red Sox in exchange for Mickey Gasper. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)AP

Christmas Eve didn’t stop the Red Sox from making a minor move.

Boston traded catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper to the Twins for lefty reliever Jovani Morán, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. The move, much like Saturday’s trade that sent lefty Cam Booser to the White Sox, clears a 40-man roster spot. Boston will need one to make the addition of starter Walker Buehler official in the coming days.

Morán, who turns 28 in late April, will not go on Boston’s 40-man roster but does have a fair amount of big league time with the Twins. He emerged as an important member of Minnesota’s bullpen in 2022 (posting a 2.21 ERA and striking out 54 batters) and in total, has a 4.15 ERA in 91 innings over the last three years. The Puerto Rico native struggled to a 5.31 ERA in 43 games, then missed the end of the season due to a forearm strain before undergoing Tommy John surgery after the year. The Twins non-tendered him, then re-signed him to a minor league contract before he missed all of 2024.

It’s unclear if Morán will be ready for Opening Day, but when he is healthy, he’ll provided a left-handed depth option for the Red Sox, who have changed up that area of their roster so far this winter by adding veterans Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson and dealing off Booser. Wilson, Chapman, Brennan Bernardino, Zach Penrod and the rehabbing Chris Murphy are on the 40-man roster, Morán will likely begin the year at Triple-A. He has always posted high strikeout numbers (11.1 K/9 in the majors) but has been wild, too (5.1 BB/9). He has shown an ability to get both righties and lefties throughout his big league career.

Gasper, a 29-year-old New Hampshire native who went to Bryant University, made his debut for Boston last year, going hitless (0-for-18) while striking out eight times and working four walks. He was offensively dominant in the minors, though, batting .328 (102-for-311) with a .970 OPS in 92 games split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. Gasper had fallen down the depth chart with Boston’s trade for ex-Yankee Carlos Narvaez; Narvaez is expected to serve as the backup to starter Connor Wong but the Sox are still in the market for more additions.

  • BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
  • Astros GM admits talks with potential Red Sox target stalled
  • What 2021 NL Cy Young winner is seeking in free agent deal (report)
  • Where MLB insider expects potential Red Sox target to sign this offseason
  • Walker Buehler adds risk, leadership to Red Sox (5 thoughts) | Chris Cotillo
  • Who is Walker Buehler, Boston’s new All-Star pitcher?

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN MILWAUKEE: Brewers vs White Sox Reveal Surprising New First Pitch Time That’s Reshaping Opening Week Spotlight

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN MILWAUKEE: Brewers vs White Sox Reveal Surprising New First Pitch Time That’s Reshaping Opening Week Spotlight Just 30 days remain until the new…

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN ATLANTA: Braves vs Royals Reveal Surprising New First Pitch Time That’s Turning Heads Across MLB

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN ATLANTA: Braves vs Royals Reveal Surprising New First Pitch Time That’s Turning Heads Across MLB Just 30 days remain until the new MLB…

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN CINCINNATI: Reds vs Red Sox Reveal Shocking New First Pitch Time That Could Reshape Opening Week Buzz

🚨 GAME CHANGER IN CINCINNATI: Reds vs Red Sox Reveal Shocking New First Pitch Time That Could Reshape Opening Week Buzz Just 30 days remain until the…

🚨 GAME CHANGER AT ORACLE PARK: San Francisco Giants vs New York Yankees Reveal Stunning New First Pitch Time That’s Shaking Up Opening Week

🚨 GAME CHANGER AT ORACLE PARK: San Francisco Giants vs New York Yankees Reveal Stunning New First Pitch Time That’s Shaking Up Opening Week Just 30 days…

🚨 GAME CHANGER AT WRIGLEY: Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Reveal Stunning New First Pitch Time as Opening Day Buzz Explodes Across MLB

Just 30 days remain until the new season officially begins. Baseball is almost back, and the energy surrounding Opening Day is building at an electric pace. The…

Rangers’ Wyatt Langford Finally Steps Into Spring Action Against Diamondbacks — And the Hype Train Just Got Louder

The Texas Rangers logo painted on the turf behind home plate at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers have a…