Red Sox trade outfielder Nate Eaton to Athletics for Minor League RHP Jareth Rayo

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Nate Eaton to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Jareth Rayo, the teams announced on Thursday. The move brings the 29-year-old Eaton to an Athletics roster after two MLB stints that included time with the Royals and Red Sox, while the Athletics add a position player who has appeared across Boston’s outfield positions.

This season, Eaton played in 24 games for Boston and made six starts in left field, six starts in center field and three starts in right field. Offensively, the Red Sox listed his Triple-A work with Worcester as part of his 2026 profile: he appeared in 84 games at Triple-A, hitting .253 (79-for-312) with 58 runs scored, 16 doubles, three triples and nine home runs, along with 44 RBIs, 37 walks and 18 stolen bases.

Eaton was originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 21st round of the 2018 MLB Draft. The announcement notes he is a Virginia native and has hit .221 (64-for-290) with three home runs and 23 RBIs in 137 career Major League games across his time with the Royals (2022-23) and the Red Sox (2025-26).

The Athletics’ incoming prospect, Rayo, is 18 years old and began his professional career in 2026. According to the Red Sox announcement, he pitched in 11 games, including nine starts, for the Dominican Summer League Athletics, compiling a 5.50 ERA (22 earned runs over 36 innings) with 36 strikeouts. The Nicaragua native was signed by Oakland as an international free agent on Oct. 2, 2025.

In related roster action described with the transaction, the Athletics reported that several players cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. The list included right-handers Henry Baez, Joey Estes and Geoff Hartlieb, catcher Brian Serven, infielder Michael Stefanic and outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez.

With the trade completed, the Athletics receive Eaton’s outfield versatility at the MLB level, while the Red Sox receive Rayo, a young right-handed pitcher adding to their Minor League pitching depth. The transaction reshapes both organizations’ immediate player pools, with Eaton representing MLB experience and Rayo representing a development-stage arm moving into Boston’s system.