Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer Stunner Looks Even Better Now

May 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer (11) reacts after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer Stunner Looks Even Better Now

Originally posted on Boston Red Sox on SI
By Patrick McAvoy | Last updated Aug 22, 2026 6:00 PM ET

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Before the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox surprised many by going out and trading former top prospect Marcelo Mayer to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for lefty reliever Erik Miller.

Again, this came as a bit of a surprise. Mayer was supposed to be the shortstop of the future. But, instead, the Red Sox traded him for a lefty relief pitcher. Mayer's trade value plummeted. This past offseason, Mayer was talked about as a guy that the Arizona Diamondbacks could've been interested in for a Ketel Marte trade, but Boston wasn't interested in flipping the young infielder. Now, he's gone.

While the return may not have looked as massive on paper as one would expect for a 23-year-old former top prospect, Boston is winning the deal so far.

The Red Sox Made A Good, But Surprising Move

Miller is a 28-year-old lefty flamethrower with three more seasons of team control left and he has been nails since joining the Red Sox. Miller has appeared in eight games for Boston so far this season, including one start, and hasn't allowed a run yet. Miller has a 14-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio as well in 8 1/3 innings pitched.

In comparison, Mayer hasn't played in a game for the Giants yet. He was on a minor league rehab assignment and there was even a chance that he would make his debut with the club this weekend against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. But, as has been the story of his career so far, he's dealing with an injury. Mayer has been sidelined by a right foot bone bruise and will be evaluated after the Giants return to San Francisco, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

"Marcelo Mayer has been sidelined by a right foot bone bruise from a prior injury. He was sore while playing in Triple-A, so he’ll rest this weekend and then get reevaluated when the Giants return home. That’s why he didn’t end up back in Boston," Pavlovic wrote.

When it comes to Mayer, there's no denying the fact that the talent is there. But if you cannot get on the field, you can't impact winning. It's why his trade value was lower than expected. But for Boston, it seems like it struck gold with Miller and he's going to be in town for a long time.

The Red Sox have a super bullpen and Miller is going to be a key cog down the stretch. The deal was a shock, but Boston is winning it.

This article first appeared on Boston Red Sox on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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