Red Sox's Worst Trade of 2024 Is Imploding for Angels, Too

What in the world happened here?

May 21, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Matthew Lugo (15) sits in the dugout before a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox have earned horrible grades at each of the last two trade deadlines, but there's more to the story from 2024.

At the time, dealing for ex-Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Luis García seemed like a classic overpay, and it quickly flopped. Boston sent four prospects to the Angels for a 37-year-old righty who was having a good season, but immediately went in the tank. Ever since, he's been constantly fighting to stay in the league.

However, that trade hasn't worked out in the slightest for the Angels so far, either. On Tuesday, the best prospect Los Angeles supposedly got in the trade left the organization for good.

Matthew Lugo claimed by Royals on waivers

Sep 6, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Matthew Lugo (15) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Athletics during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Matthew Lugo, who was a consensus top 20 prospect in the Red Sox's farm system two summers ago, was recently designated for assignment by LA after not appearing in a major league game this season. He wasn't playing too poorly at Triple-A Salt Lake, either, sporting a .788 OPS through 39 games.

On Tuesday, Lugo was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, who were more than happy to get their hands on a 25-year-old outfielder with multiple minor-league options remaining, not to mention the nephew of franchise legend Carlos Beltrán.

Even if the Angels were in a tight 40-man roster crunch, it's odd to see Lugo let go this quickly, and it also paints the full return the Red Sox sent Los Angeles in a brutal light.

The Angels also got right-handed pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn, who owns a 4.56 ERA in 96 career appearances. They got first baseman Niko Kavadas, who has negative-0.6 bWAR to his name in only 40 major league games. And they got minor-league righty Yeferson Vargas, who sports a 6.41 ERA so far this season as a 21-year-old in High-A.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox got an 8.22 ERA in 15 1/3 innings from Garcia, who also got injured shortly after he was traded to Boston. This was just a bad, bad trade for everyone involved, and moving forward, it's possible the Royals will claim victory over both participants.