The Boston Red Sox recently strengthened their rotation with the addition of key man, but this created a need to free up space on their 40-man roster as more roster moves loom.
On Christmas Eve, they addressed this issue by trading catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper to the Minnesota Twins. In exchange, the Red Sox acquired left-handed reliever Jovani Moran.
Gasper, originally a New York Yankees draft pick, was brought in last offseason to provide depth at catcher. He played 13 games for Boston, going 1-for-18 at the plate. He is now set to serve as a Triple-A or emergency catcher for Minnesota.
Hunter Noll reported the trade:
“The Boston Red Sox have traded Mickey Gasper to the Minnesota Twins for minor league left-handed pitcher Jovani Moran.”
Red Sox News: Boston makes trade with eve
On the flip side, Jovani Moran had an outstanding 2022 season with the Minnesota Twins. Over 31 appearances, he recorded a 2.21 ERA, a .172 opponent batting average, and a 1.06 WHIP, striking out 54 batters while issuing just 18 walks across 40 2/3 innings.
However, Moran’s performance dipped in 2023. The 27-year-old finished the season with a 5.31 ERA, a .226 opponent batting average, and a 1.46 WHIP in 42 1/3 innings. He missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. Despite these challenges, there are positives to build on—Moran has an elite changeup and posted a solid FIP. He provides the Red Sox with additional left-handed relief depth, which they can stash in Triple-A without occupying a 40-man roster spot.
Moran represents a promising reclamation project. His past success and potential could make him a valuable asset, especially with the guidance of pitching coach Andrew Bailey, who may help him reach another level.
As for Mickey Gasper, the switch-hitting 29-year-old catcher/infielder was a Rule 5 draft pick by Boston in 2023. He thrived in Triple-A, slashing an impressive .367/.471/.592 over 48 games before earning a call-up to the Majors in August. Gasper was a pleasant surprise in 2024 but lacked a clear role in the Red Sox’s future plans.
With roster space at a premium, Gasper was a likely candidate for DFA, so the fact that Boston managed to trade him for a potential asset like Moran is a win for the organization.
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