Red Sox, Nationals Swap Pitching Prospects in Win-Win Deal

The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals have made a surprising trade, swapping two pitching prospects with contrasting styles. The deal sees the Red Sox acquire left-hander Jake Bennett from the Nationals in exchange for right-hander Luis Perales.

Contrasting Styles

Perales, who underwent Tommy John surgery, is the upside play in this deal. He boasts a fastball that can reach 100 mph, consistently sitting at 97+, along with a solid-average changeup and two breaking balls that are works-in-progress. However, his command and control have never been great, and he may be better suited for a bullpen role.
On the other hand, Bennett is the floor guy in the deal. He has a fastball that has peaked at 96 mph and was 92-95 in the Arizona Fall League this October. He features a plus changeup and two fringy breaking balls, and his ability to throw strikes is one of his greatest strengths.

Red Sox’ Developmental Expertise

The Red Sox have a clear core competence in helping pitchers who can throw strikes improve their stuff. This expertise will likely benefit Bennett, who may see an increase in velocity and improvement in his breaking pitches. The Red Sox have a history of developing pitchers like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, who will likely figure into their 2026 rotation plans.

Nationals’ Rebuild

The Nationals, on the other hand, are years from contention. Their new president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni, is looking to revamp their player development processes and add more upside to their system. Bennett may have made 20 starts for the Nationals in 2026, but he doesn’t have the pure upside of Perales. The trade makes sense for both sides, as the Red Sox get a pitcher who can contribute immediately, while the Nationals get a chance to develop a player with more potential.

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