Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn’t waste any time making his mark as the franchise moved toward a critical offseason checkpoint. Tuesday turned into his busiest and most decisive day since taking over the front office, as he orchestrated a wave of roster transactions ahead of Major League Baseball’s 40-man roster deadline at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
While many teams quietly made small adjustments or promoted a handful of prospects as a precaution, the Red Sox took a far more aggressive and noticeable approach. According to reporting from Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Boston’s front office engaged in a rapid sequence of moves that went far beyond routine maintenance. By the time the deadline arrived, the organization had completed four trades, added three minor league pitchers to the 40-man roster, and designated two players for assignment who had previously contributed at the big-league level.
This flurry of activity wasn’t fueled by random experimentation. Instead, it was driven by the league’s upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which is set to take place on December 10 at the Winter Meetings. Every year, the Rule 5 Draft provides teams with an opportunity to claim eligible minor league players from other organizations, as long as those players have not been added to their team’s 40-man roster within a certain timeframe.
Under MLB rules, minor league players who were first signed at 18 years old or younger become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft after five seasons in the minors if they are not protected. Meanwhile, players who signed at the age of 19 or older reach eligibility after four years. Once eligible, any club can draft them, but the drafting team must keep that player on its active MLB roster for the entire upcoming season or risk having to return him to his original organization.
Recognizing the stakes, Boston elected to protect three pitchers from potential selection in the Rule 5 Draft: Shane Drohan, David Sandlin, and Tyler Uberstine. By adding them to the 40-man roster before the deadline, the Red Sox ensured those arms would remain under club control moving forward. The trio had drawn attention within the organization and had reached a point in their development where another team could plausibly take a chance on them.
However, while those protections were expected, there was one name curiously left off the protected list — and that decision raised some eyebrows throughout the baseball world.
That player was Miguel Bleis.
Bleis’ omission from the 40-man roster was by far the most surprising move of the day for Boston, especially considering the organization’s prior investment in his talent. When the Red Sox signed the outfielder out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Bleis received a substantial $1.5 million signing bonus — the largest bonus handed out by Boston in that particular international free agent class.
At the time of his signing, Bleis was just 16 years old and widely viewed as one of the most physically gifted and promising prospects on the international market. Talent evaluators praised his frame, bat speed, and ability to generate power with relative ease. An MLB.com scouting report had described him as one of the biggest and strongest players available among international signings that year.
Scouts were especially impressed with his ability to drive the ball to the gaps and over the fence, even during showcase events against elite competition. Observers noted that Bleis already displayed advanced instincts in the batter’s box, showing not only raw power but also an understanding of pitch recognition and strike-zone awareness well beyond his years. The expectation was that once he matured physically and gained professional experience, he could develop into a dangerous middle-of-the-order hitter.
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For several years, Bleis’ name remained one of the more interesting in Boston’s farm system — a high-ceiling outfielder with tools that couldn’t be taught. Standing out was his rare combination of raw power, arm strength, speed, and defensive potential in center field. On paper, he looked like a five-tool player in the making.
But the reality of his on-field performance over the past few seasons has been far less encouraging.
Now 21 years old, Bleis has struggled to find consistency at the plate as he climbed through Boston’s minor league system. This season at Single-A Greenville, he managed to produce an OPS of .735. While that number isn’t disastrous on its own, it fell short of expectations for a player who previously carried so much hype and projected impact.
Still, the organization gave him an opportunity to face tougher competition. On August 2, Bleis was promoted to Double-A Portland in hopes that he might respond positively to the increased level of play. Instead, the struggles intensified.
At Double-A, Bleis managed only 23 hits in 110 at-bats, recording a single home run over that stretch. His OPS after the promotion dropped significantly to .554 — a compelling indicator of his continued offensive difficulties. Against older and more polished pitching, Bleis appeared to lack both consistency and confidence, leading to further concerns about his offensive development.
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Despite those struggles, his tools remain undeniable.
Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis of MLB.com, two of the most respected prospect analysts in the industry, labeled Bleis’ exposure to the Rule 5 Draft as Boston’s most difficult and controversial decision of the entire process. According to their evaluation, Bleis still profiles as a legitimate big-league talent based on his physical gifts alone.
They described him as a center fielder possessing some of the organization’s best all-around tools, including plus raw power, above-average speed, and a strong throwing arm. In their view, it is not Bleis’ ability that is in question, but rather his consistency in translating that ability into game results.
While he has yet to produce at an elite level in full-season baseball, the raw ingredients remain present. This has left many observers wondering whether another team might take a calculated risk on Bleis in the Rule 5 Draft, especially if they believe a change of scenery or adjustments in approach could unlock his potential.
In terms of prospect rankings, Bleis still remains highly regarded. He currently sits at No. 15 in the Red Sox farm system according to MLB Pipeline and No. 18 according to SoxProspects.com. Those rankings reflect the ongoing belief among evaluators that his ceiling remains extremely high, even as his recent performance has generated doubt.
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Both publications project 2027 as the most realistic timeline for his potential arrival in Major League Baseball, assuming proper development and progression. However, that future may no longer be tied to Boston if another organization chooses to select him in the Rule 5 Draft and keep him on their big-league roster.
For the Red Sox, this decision highlights the difficult balancing act involved in managing a 40-man roster during a crucial stage of the offseason. Protect too many players, and flexibility is lost for free-agent signings, trades, and other roster needs. Protect too few, and valuable talent could be taken away by rival franchises.
Craig Breslow’s approach on Tuesday signaled a front office willing to make hard, pragmatic choices, even when those choices involve walking away from substantial past investments. Rather than protecting Bleis purely based on his pedigree or bonus amount, Boston chose to prioritize players they believe are closer to contributing at the major league level.
It is a reminder that in professional baseball, potential alone does not guarantee a roster spot. Performance, progression, and organizational fit all matter intensely, and even highly regarded prospects can find themselves exposed if they fail to show sufficient development.
As December 10 approaches, all eyes will remain on Miguel Bleis and whether a rival team decides to claim him and gamble on his upside. Should that happen and Bleis eventually blossom into a productive major leaguer, the decision may haunt the Red Sox for years. If he continues to struggle, the move will be seen as a practical and necessary business call.
Either way, Tuesday’s wave of transactions officially marked a pivotal moment in the Red Sox offseason — one defined by bold decisions, calculated risk, and the beginnings of a new direction under Breslow’s leadership.
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