Where Red Sox Starting Pitching Depth Stands After Johan Oviedo Trade

The Boston Red Sox have not yet acquired the frontline starter Craig Breslow readily admits he has his sights set on, but he took another a big step Thursday in raising the floor of the rotation.

Right-handed starter Johan Oviedo is headed to Boston in a multi-player deal, with No. 3 prospect Jhostynxon Garcia the headliner going to Pittsburgh.

Oviedo underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and missed the entirety of that season, and a substantial chunk of this past season, as a result. The 27-year-old pitched in nine games in 2025, going 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA.

A towering 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Oviedo has pitched in one full season, 2023, as a starter since breaking into the majors. He went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA that year across 32 starts. He has stretches of outright dominance, but has struggled with consistency. The biggest flaw in his game is control — he led the majors in 2023 with 13 hit batters.

Which is to say, he presents a highly intriguing addition to the rotation. Here’s where things stand as the hot stove continues to warm up.

Locks
Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello

The only question here is whether a free-agent signing or trade slots a name between Crochet and Gray/Bello.

Firmly in the Mix
Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Hunter Dobbins

Oviedo should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself, as trading Garcia for him suggests the Red Sox feel strongly about Oviedo’s potential. Crawford and Sandoval both have proven reliable starters, but didn’t pitch in 2025 due to injuries. Tolle, Early and Dobbins made positive impressions as rookies, and Dobbins is expected to have a normal offseason after a torn ACL cut his season short.

Other Names to Watch
Tyler Uberstine, Luis Perales, Kyle Harrison

Uberstein, drafted by the Red Sox in the 19th round of the 2021 draft, has quickly become a name of interest thanks in large part to his fastball, known more for its spin rate rather than its velocity. Perales remains one of the team’s top pitching prospects, and, once spring rolls around, Harrison will have spent a full offseason with the organization after arriving in the Rafael Devers trade. It will be interesting to see what tweaks or changes he brings to Ft. Myers