The Red Sox traded utilityman Nate Eaton to the Athletics on Thursday, the first in what is likely to be an offseason-opening flurry of moves in the coming days.
They received minor league pitcher Jareth Rayo in exchange, the team announced.
For the Sox, it was a practical deal as they sort through resetting their roster.
Eaton, 29, had been a useful depth piece over the past two seasons and even wound up starting three of their five playoff games in that time. But he was out of minor league options heading into 2027. Since he was unlikely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, the Sox decided to ship him out — and were able to get a little something for him, as opposed to simply cutting him.
They found a trade partner in the Athletics, whose new president of baseball operations, Taylor Smith, spent the previous two years as a Red Sox assistant general manager under Craig Breslow.
The clubs consummated the deal on the first day they could. With the World Series ending Wednesday, MLB allowed trades again beginning Thursday. Free agency opens Monday.
More such transactions should be on the way. By the end of Monday, the Red Sox have to free up likely three more spots on the 40-man roster to make room for players who need to be activated from the 60-day injured list. If they don’t make additional small trades, a few players probably will be designated for assignment.
Eaton hit .244 with a .665 OPS in 65 games with the Red Sox. He saw time at all three outfield spots plus third base (and one game at pitcher).
Rayo, an 18-year-old righthander, is in effect a lottery ticket — an arm worth taking a chance on, in the Red Sox’ view, especially since they were looking to create roster room by removing Eaton anyway.
Rayo is from Nicaragua, signed with the Athletics a year ago, and pitched in the Dominican Summer League in his first pro season. In 36 innings, he had 36 strikeouts and 20 walks with a 5.50 ERA.
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.