The Boston Red Sox made their first trade less than two weeks into the 2025 MLB season.
The Red Sox announced Monday morning that right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester had been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a 2025 Competitive Balance Round A selection, and a future player or financial considerations.
With Priester on the 40-man roster, Red Sox fans immediately began speculating about who will fill the newly opened place. As it turned out, manager Alex Cora and his team made that decision quickly.
Red Sox Add Robert Stock to 40-Man Roster, Demote Cooper Criswell After Quinn Priester Trade
Shortly after Priester was released, the Red Sox announced that veteran reliever Robert Stock had been added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the MLB. At the same time, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reports that veteran pitcher Cooper Criswell has been demoted to Triple-A Worcester.
Stock, 35, was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2009 and is currently in his second stint with the Red Sox. The Bellevue, WA native had 10 bullpen appearances in 2020, going 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings of work. After that season, he left Boston and went on to play for the Cubs, Mets, and Brewers, as well as spells in Mexico and South Korea.
Stock’s good performance in the Mexican Pacific League in 2024 put him back on the Red Sox’s radar. In 14 starts, the veteran righty pitched well for Naranjeros de Hermosillo, going 10-2 with a 1.92 ERA, 1.067, and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Following that performance, he pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in two Triple-A Worcester appearances.
While Stock’s call-up is not surprising, neither is Criswell’s relegation. The 6-foot-6 reliever was undoubtedly the Red Sox bullpen’s weakest link to start the season, with an 8.31 ERA and no strikeouts in three appearances (4 1/3 innings).
Only time will tell whether Stock can live up to the expectations or if Criswell can make his way back to the Majors. Meanwhile, the Red Sox will focus on contending in the 2025 World Series, where they have +2200 odds to win (T-8th), according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
