The Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed pitching prospect Jake Bennett from the Washington Nationals in exchange for right-hander Luis Perales on Monday. Both pitchers, recent Tommy John surgery survivors, represent a swap of high-upside prospects in Boston's ongoing pitching overhaul. The deal highlights connections between the teams' front offices.
In a prospect-for-prospect trade announced Monday, the Boston Red Sox sent right-handed pitcher Luis Perales to the Washington Nationals for left-hander Jake Bennett. Perales, 22, ranked as Boston's No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 5 by Baseball America, underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He returned late in the 2025 minor league season, making three appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, followed by six outings in the Arizona Fall League. There, he posted 23 strikeouts but allowed 15 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings, showing command issues despite a fastball reaching 101 mph. Prior to his injury, Perales had a 2.94 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings in 2024.
Bennett, 25, was Washington's No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline and No. 6 according to Baseball America. A 2022 second-round pick out of Oklahoma, the 6-foot-6 lefty recovered from Tommy John surgery in September 2023. In 2025, he made 19 appearances (18 starts) across three levels, achieving a 2.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings. His Double-A debut came in July with Harrisburg, where he recorded a 2.56 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. Bennett also excelled in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 25 in 20 innings while walking just five.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow praised Bennett's profile in a text: “We feel like Bennett is a high probability starter that excels in some things that are hard to teach. Fastball playability driven by above average extension and strike throwing ability. His whiff rates and ability to manage hard contact have us confident in his ability to be a major league starter.”
The trade, the first major deal between Breslow and Nationals president Paul Toboni—a former Red Sox executive—fits Boston's strategy to bolster pitching depth. It follows acquisitions of Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, marking the third pitching trade this offseason. Both players are on the 40-man roster, with Bennett expected to slot into Triple-A plans.