Making it to Major League Baseball is very, very difficult, regardless of where a player might land on a list of prospect rankings. Signed by the Boston Red Sox

Earlier this week, it was revealed that longtime Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata was taking his talents to Japan. Though terms have not yet been disclosed, it appears as though the 26-year-old right-hander is signing with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.

“SS prospect Rayer Gonzalez has reached a pre-agreement with the Boston Red Sox for a $3.1 million signing bonus, a new franchise record for an international player,” Major League Baseball insider and director of communications for the Dominican Republic’s Ministerio Deportes Hector Gomez reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Prominent free agents are signing at a rapid pace, but the trade market has some heating up to do. The Mets and Red Sox seem reluctant to light the match.

The Boston Red Sox may very well fail in their attempt to bring in a key target. Boston is fully expected to revamp its infield during the offseason. This could still be the case even if they manage to bring back Alex Bregman.

The Detroit Tigers’ intimidating top 30 prospect has been left unprotected for a second year, and he just might fit Boston’s needs.

The early smoke has indicated Elias has been in on all the key free agent targets – Cease, Valdez, Zac Gallen and Ranger Suarez. In a winter in which the Orioles simply cannot come up empty in their pitcher search, jumping quickly into the market could be particularly important here.

The Philadelphia Phillies need to add an outfielder in some capacity this offseason, and the trade market may be a good route.

According to an online report, the Boston Red Sox reached preliminary agreement with a shortstop who played in the U-12 World Cup in 2023.

Mata, who turns 27 in May, signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January 2016. He quickly impressed with a high-octane fastball and advanced pitch mix and represented the Red Sox in the Futures Game in 2018. Baseball America ranked him as top-10 prospect in the system each season between 2018 and 2023.