Red Sox Regret Trading Tibbs as Dodgers Prospect Rakes in Minors

Slugger James Tibbs III is tearing up Triple-A with a 1.903 OPS, begging for a call-up to the majors.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:33am

The Boston Red Sox traded prospect James Tibbs III to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, a move that is already looking like a mistake. Tibbs is currently dominating at the Triple-A level, hitting .529 with 7 home runs in just 35 at-bats for the Dodgers' Oklahoma City affiliate. Meanwhile, the player the Red Sox acquired in the trade, pitcher Dustin May, is no longer even with Boston, having been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Why it matters

This trade is another example of the Dodgers' ability to identify and develop top minor league talent. While the Red Sox may have had a crowded outfield, they appear to have undervalued Tibbs, who is now putting up historic numbers in the minors and pushing for a call-up to the majors with the Dodgers.

The details

In a trade last season, the Red Sox sent prospect James Tibbs III to the Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Dustin May. Tibbs is now tearing up Triple-A, going 4-for-4 with 3 home runs in a recent game. He's hitting .529 with a 1.903 OPS and 7 home runs in just 35 at-bats so far this season. Meanwhile, May is no longer with the Red Sox, having been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • On April 5, 2026, Tibbs hit 3 home runs in a 4-for-4 game for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.
  • Tibbs has 7 home runs in 35 at-bats so far this season in the minors.

The players

James Tibbs III

A minor league outfielder in the Dodgers' system who is currently dominating at the Triple-A level, hitting .529 with a 1.903 OPS and 7 home runs in 35 at-bats.

Dustin May

A pitcher who the Red Sox acquired from the Dodgers in the trade for Tibbs, but May is no longer with Boston and has been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Boston Red Sox

The MLB team that traded away prospect James Tibbs III to the Dodgers last season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The MLB team that acquired James Tibbs III from the Red Sox and is now reaping the benefits of his breakout performance at the Triple-A level.

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What they’re saying

“James Tibbs tonight: 4-4, 3 HR. Now hitting .529 with a 1.903 OPS in AAA this year. Lmao.”

— AT

What’s next

The Dodgers will likely call up Tibbs to the major league roster soon given his historic performance in the minors, putting further pressure on the Red Sox for trading away a player who is now begging for a promotion to the big leagues.

The takeaway

This trade is another example of the Dodgers' ability to identify and develop top minor league talent, while the Red Sox appear to have undervalued Tibbs, who is now putting up historic numbers in the minors and pushing for a call-up to the majors with Los Angeles.