Red Sox Rumors: Pitcher DFAd To Complete Johan Oviedo Trade
Cooper Criswell signed a guaranteed contract in November
The Boston Red Sox reportedly completed an incredibly interesting trade on Thursday.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the club had acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman in exchange for outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and right-hander Jesus Travieso in a multi-player deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It’s not as simple as that, though…
Oviedo and Samaniego both need to be added to the 40-man roster, while only one spot opened up with the departure of Garcia — which reportedly prompted another move in order to push things across the finish line.
The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier quickly reported that right-hander Cooper Criswell was designated for assignment by Boston.
Criswell, 29, will take home $800,000 after being cut loose, as he signed a fully guaranteed contract earlier this offseason that gave him some pretty decent leverage in the chase for a roster spot. Boston could have non-tendered the veteran right-hander, but brought him back as a valuable depth arm — which is becoming less of a need by the day.
Oviedo, 27, made his return from Tommy John surgery last season, though he was limited to just nine starts — where he went 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA. The Red Sox view him as a high upside option in the bottom of the rotation, essentially an upgrade over the man they released to make room for him.
