In a move to bolster their bullpen depth, the Chicago White Sox have acquired left-handed reliever Cam Booser from the Boston Red Sox. The Sox sent minor league pitching prospect Yhoiker Fajardo to Boston to complete the trade. Let’s break down what this deal means for both clubs.
White Sox Add Proven Veteran to Pen
For the White Sox, landing the 32-year-old Booser provides an experienced late-inning option from the left side. The southpaw posted a solid 3.38 ERA over 43 appearances with the Red Sox last season, his first full year in the majors. Booser also racked up 43 strikeouts in just 34 innings, showcasing his ability to miss bats in high-leverage situations.
Chicago’s relief corps ranked middle-of-the-pack in most statistical categories in 2024. Adding a proven commodity like Booser, who can handle the pressure of pitching in the late innings, should help stabilize the unit. He’ll likely slot in as a setup man for closer Liam Hendriks, giving manager Pedro Grifol a reliable lefty-righty combination to close out games.
Cam is a fighter who has overcome a lot to establish himself in this league. His experience, resilience and ability to excel in clutch moments make him a great fit for our bullpen.
– White Sox GM Rick Hahn on the Booser acquisition
Overcoming Adversity
Booser’s path to the big leagues was anything but typical. The lefty battled alcohol abuse and injuries early in his career before a scary bicycling accident nearly derailed his baseball dreams. But he fought back to make his MLB debut with Boston in 2023 at age 31, earning the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage.
The White Sox are hopeful that Booser’s maturity, life experience and perseverance will have a positive impact on the club’s younger pitchers. In a high-pressure division featuring slugging lineups in Cleveland, Detroit and Minnesota, Booser’s steady veteran presence could prove invaluable over the grind of a long season.
Red Sox Acquire Intriguing Prospect
From Boston’s perspective, moving a 32-year-old reliever for an 18-year-old pitching prospect with upside makes sense for their timeline. Yhoiker Fajardo, who the White Sox signed this February out of the Dominican Republic, is a long-term play for the Red Sox. The right-hander showed promise in his pro debut, posting a 3.91 ERA with 64 strikeouts and only 8 walks over 13 Dominican Summer League starts.
- Fastball clocked mid-90s with movement
- Advanced feel for age, big strikeout potential
- Projectable 6-foot-2 frame with room to fill out
While Fajardo is likely at least 3-4 years away from the majors, his debut at age 18 provides Boston plenty of time for development. The Red Sox will be patient with the young righty as they look to rebuild a thin farm system. If Fajardo reaches his potential, this could end up a sneaky good return for a win-later Boston club.
Final Thoughts
On the surface, this looks like a sensible trade for two teams in very different competitive windows. The win-now White Sox upgraded their bullpen with a proven late-inning southpaw in Booser. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Red Sox added an intriguing teenage arm in Fajardo who may pay dividends down the road.
Chicago is hoping Booser’s veteran presence, postseason experience (he pitched in the 2023 ALCS with Boston), and ability to escape jams from the left side will be key ingredients in a recipe to dethrone the Guardians in the AL Central. If he can perform like he did last season, this trade will be well worth the cost of a lower-level prospect.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, are playing the long game with Fajardo. Acquiring a young power arm with projection and advanced feel for pitching is never a bad idea, especially for a last-place team building for the future. Expect Boston to be patient with Fajardo’s development, but his pro debut suggests he could move through the system quickly.
All in all, this deal makes sense for both the win-now White Sox and the developing Red Sox system. Chicago solidifies their relief corps for a pennant chase, while Boston lands an exciting lower-minors lottery ticket. If Booser delivers in high-leverage moments and Fajardo develops as hoped, this could become a true win-win trade.
