MLB Trade: Red Sox & Angels Swing Deal For Former Elite Prospect

The Los Angeles Angels have been acquiring a number of failed former top prospects at a cheap price this offseason, as they look to capitalize on teams that have given up perhaps too soon on a young player with pedigree.

Their latest move on this front is a trade with the Boston Red Sox for infielder Vaughn Grissom.

The Los Angeles Angels are acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2025

Grissom was a top-10 prospect for the Atlanta Braves just three years ago, and was felt to be their shortstop of the future at one time. He was the fourth-youngest player in the National League when he made his debut in 2022 and hit over .300 in his first 36 games with the Braves.

Since then, Grissom was used sparingly in Atlanta, and was then included in the trade package that brought Chris Sale from Boston to the Braves. Grissom struggled to a .190 average in 31 games for the BoSox in 2024, then spent 2025 in the Red Sox' minor league system, batting .270 at Triple-A Worcester with 13 homers and 9 stolen bases.

21-year-old minor league outfielder Isaiah Jackson heads to Boston in the exchange. The 6’3", 220-pounder has a power/speed combo, and slashed .310/.402/.630 with 18 HR and 14 SB in his final season this year at Arizona State University. He then played 10 games for Los Angeles' High-A affiliate.

Grissom is the 3rd former elite prospect the Angels have picked up this winter

The Angels have also acquired Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah this offseason, two former premium young pitching prospects, whose future soured in Baltimore and Toronto, respectively, for differing reasons. Rodriguez just couldn't stay healthy for the Orioles, and Manoah suffered an inexplicable fall from grace after his All-Star season of 2022, then underwent Tommy John surgery. The team hopes that both can recapture their elite prospect status and bolster the Angels' rotation in 2026 and into the future.

Grissom will be slotted in as a second baseman for LA, as Zach Neto had a breakout season at shortstop and is locked in at the position.