The Boston Red Sox faced some disappointing news on Monday.
Top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Kyle Teel, and Roman Anthony were recently promoted to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, signaling a promising future for Boston. However, Red Sox fans will have to wait until next season to see Mayer at the Triple-A level.
Speier reported that Mayer’s Triple-A debut might be delayed until 2025. After his recovery efforts plateaued, further medical evaluation revealed a lumbar strain. Mayer has now moved to Fort Myers, Fla., for rehabilitation, and his season is probably over. The Red Sox anticipate that Mayer will make a full recovery and be ready for a normal offseason.
Mayer struggled with injuries in 2023 and played just 78 games. This season, he appeared in 77 games with the Sea Dogs, showcasing his talent with a .307/.370/.480 slash line, eight home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 doubles, and 13 stolen bases.
The Red Sox are currently overloaded with talented middle infielders but lack elite pitching prospects. For Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, trading Trevor Story might seem like a logical step, but it’s not a straightforward option.
Trading Mayer, once seen as unthinkable, is now a consideration due to his ongoing injuries and the rise of other prospects. Roman Anthony has surpassed Mayer as the Red Sox’s top prospect this season, while Kristian Campbell is also making a case for top prospect status.
Scouts even suggest that Campbell might be Boston’s best prospect right now. As the Red Sox hope Mayer recovers fully and returns to elite form in 2025, Breslow might explore trading Mayer this winter to address Boston’s pressing need for starting pitching.
