​The Boston Red Sox tried to offload pitcher Eduardo Rivera to create a spot on their 40-man roster this week, as teams look to reset their rosters at the outset of free agency.A call to their former general manager did the track.Rivera was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in exchange for minor league pitcher Juan Garcia, according to multiple reports. Andrew Parker of Sox Prospects was first to report the deal on Twitter/X.MORE: Red Sox cut four-year MLB veteran pitcher with 3.31 ERARivera, a 23-year-old left-hander, saw his first major league action with Boston in 2026. He went 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA in four games (three starts). Rivera spent most of the season at Triple-A Worcester, going 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 games (three starts). He struck out 55 batters and walked 22 in 45.2 innings.Garcia, 18, signed his first professional contract with the Cardinals (and former Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom) out of Mexico in January 2025. Across two Dominican Summer League seasons, the right-hander is 6-6 with a 3.87 ERA, 14 walks, and 77 strikeouts in 90.2 innings.MORE: Red Sox make trade, send 29-year-old outfielder to AthleticsRivera also pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March. In two WBC appearances, he allowed three runs in 6.2 innings, walking four batters and striking out nine.The #RedSox are sending left-hander Eduardo Rivera to the #Cardinals, reports Andrew Parker Boston will receive right-hander Juan Garcia in return. pic.twitter.com/RDPxUVVsnY— Anthony Ramirez (1-6) (6-2) (89-73) (@Talkin2Tony) November 3, 2026With the Cardinals, Rivera will be right at home among a young team that figures to have plenty of wide-open competitions in the rotation and bullpen in 2027.MORE: Rays cut ties with former All-Star after World Series lossFor Boston, it’s a low-risk trade. Rivera ostensibly did not draw significant trade interest before he was designated for assignment on Monday. Within five days of the World Series ended, the Red Sox needed to add seven players to their 40-man roster who finished the season on the 60-day injured list. Regardless of what Garcia does in the future, this trade has already helped alleviate an immediate roster crunch while bringing something back to Boston in return.—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter—