The Boston Red Sox trade was confirmed by ESPN. On Sunday night, the Red Sox executed a historic transaction by acquiring….

In a move that is already being hailed as one of the most significant trades in recent franchise history, the Boston Red Sox finalized a blockbuster deal late Sunday night, acquiring superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres, as confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The trade, which had been rumored for weeks, was confirmed shortly before midnight and sent shockwaves through the baseball world. The Red Sox, currently in the thick of the AL East race, made a bold statement of intent by adding the 26-year-old slugger, who is widely regarded as one of the premier hitters in the game.

Trade Details:

According to sources close to the situation, the deal is as follows:

Red Sox receive:

• OF Juan Soto

Padres receive:

• SS Marcelo Mayer (Top Red Sox prospect, No. 5 overall per MLB Pipeline)
• RHP Brayan Bello
• OF Ceddanne Rafaela
• Cash considerations

A Game-Changer for Boston

Soto, a three-time All-Star and former World Series champion, brings immediate star power and offensive firepower to Fenway Park. Through mid-June, he has slashed .298/.410/.578 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, anchoring a Padres lineup that has underperformed expectations this season.

“This is a franchise-defining move,” said Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow in a late-night press conference. “We believe Juan Soto can be a cornerstone in our lineup, not just for this season, but hopefully for years to come.”

Though Soto is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, sources indicate the Red Sox are “aggressively pursuing” a long-term extension.

Padres Shift Toward Rebuild

For the Padres, the trade signals a strategic pivot after a disappointing first half of the season. While parting with Soto is undoubtedly painful, San Diego receives an elite package of young talent, headlined by Marcelo Mayer, a 21-year-old shortstop with a potent bat and strong defensive tools. Brayan Bello, 25, had emerged as a key piece of Boston’s rotation and brings immediate help to the Padres’ pitching staff.

Padres GM A.J. Preller acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but emphasized the club’s commitment to long-term success.

“This wasn’t easy,” Preller said. “But getting a package that includes two top-tier young players allows us to reset and build a sustainable future.”

What’s Next?

For Boston fans, the excitement is palpable. With Soto now joining a lineup that includes Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, the Red Sox are suddenly one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. The move also adds fuel to the rivalry with the Yankees, who were reportedly also pursuing Soto before Boston swooped in.

With the trade deadline still over a month away, Sunday night’s move might just be the first domino in an explosive summer of activity around Major League Baseball.