The primary focus on the return for Andrew Benintendi was initially outfielder Franchy Cordero. Then, after Cordero's initial struggles, some attention slid to the impressive start by another piece of the trade, Double-A pitcher Josh Winckowski.
But through all the analysis, there was always the understanding that more was on the way. Three players-to-be-named-later, to be exact.
Well, Friday, the three-team trade finally became a done deal.
The Red Sox reeled in minor-league pitchers Luis De La Rosa and Grant Gambrell from the Royals, and minor-league outfielder Freddy Valdez from the Mets.
The following was the release sent out by the Red Sox regarding their newest acquisitions:
De La Rosa, 18, was signed by the Royals out of the Dominican Republic in July 2018. The right-hander made his professional debut in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Royals 1, earning the club’s Pitcher of the Year award. In 12 games (11 starts) that season, he posted a 2.33 ERA (10 ER/38.2 IP) with a .197 opponent batting average, 0.91 WHIP, 52 strikeouts, seven walks, and zero home runs allowed.
Gambrell, 23, was selected by the Royals in the third round of the 2019 June Draft out of Oregon State University. In 16 games (15 starts) between Rookie-level Idaho Falls (2019) and High-A Quad Cities (2021), the right-hander is 3-7 with a 5.62 ERA (31 ER/49.2 IP), 46 strikeouts, and 18 walks. Born in Fresno, CA, Gambrell graduated from Buchanan High School before going 11-4 with a 3.47 ERA and 0.38 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings in three years at Oregon State.
Valdez, 19, is ranked by MLB.com as the Mets’ No. 14 prospect. Signed by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in July 2018, the right-handed hitter made his professional debut in 2019, when he was named Sterling Mets Dominican Summer League Player of the Year. That season, he appeared in 57 games with the Mets’ DSL club and in three games with the Gulf Coast League team, batting .274 (63-for-230) with an .814 OPS, 16 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 40 runs scored, 39 RBI, 31 walks, and six stolen bases.