The Red Sox traded Bryce Brentz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations on Tuesday, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston.
Brentz was most likely traded to give the Red Sox an open spot on the 40 man roster to officially sign J.D. Martinez.
Red Sox trade Bryce Brentz to the Pirates for cash. Clears a 40 man roster space for JD Martinez, whenever that becomes official.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 20, 2018
The 29-year-old was a first-round pick for the Red Sox in the 2010 MLB Draft. He spent the 2017 season with the Pawtucket Red Sox, hitting .271/.334/.529 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs. Brentz also played in the Mexican Pacific Winter League in 2017, but hit a much less impressive .207/.342/.476 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs.
Brentz has spent a very long time in AAA, being first called up to Pawtucket in 2012 and playing there for six seasons. Although Brentz has been in Pawtucket for so long, he had not shown any form of power until this season, not only hitting 31 home runs but hitting more than 20 home runs in a season for the first time since 2011.
Brentz has been called up to the Major Leagues twice in his career, playing nine games in the 2014 season and 25 games in the 2016 season. In the majors, Brentz hit .287/.311/.379 with one home run and nine RBIs and has yet to exceed his rookie status.
