In a surprising move, the Boston Red Sox engaged in a rare trade with their longtime rivals, the New York Yankees, on Tuesday. The Red Sox sent outfielder Alex Verdugo to New York in exchange for three promising right-handed pitchers - Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice.

Richard Fitts, who was selected by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, showcased impressive skills during the past season. Pitching for the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, Fitts recorded a 3.48 ERA with an 11-5 record. He struck out an impressive 163 batters in 152.2 innings pitched, earning him the title of 2023 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year. Fitts was listed as the Yankees' No. 12 prospect by MLB.com, with his mid-90s four-seam fastball and a mid-80s "sweeper" slider being his primary weapons on the mound.

While Fitts has shown promise, scouts have voiced uncertainty about his long-term potential as a starting pitcher. Nevertheless, his ability to consistently throw strikes and his strong makeup have led to optimism that he could develop into a back-end starter, according to analysts.

The acquisition of Nicholas Judice adds an intriguing element to the Red Sox's pitching prospects. Drafted by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft from Louisiana-Monroe, the 6-foot-8-inch hurler has drawn attention for his impressive fastball. Judice's fastball usually hovers in the low 90s but has reportedly touched 100 miles per hour. His mid-80s slider has been identified as the best secondary pitch among the Yankees' 2023 draft class. Judice also possesses a changeup, although it is not frequently used. In the Cape Cod League over the summer, he pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, recording 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings.

The third pitcher acquired by the Red Sox, Greg Weissert, brings with him invaluable MLB experience. Though slightly older than the other two prospects, Weissert is considered a "big league-ready reliever," as noted by Baseball America. The Long Island native has demonstrated his prowess on the mound with a lower-to-mid-90s four-seam fastball, sinker, and a highly regarded sweeper-slider. Over the course of two seasons of intermittent MLB appearances, Weissert has maintained a 3-0 record with a 4.60 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched. His slider has been particularly effective, averaging an impressive 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings across various levels of professional baseball.

The trade between the Red Sox and Yankees has attracted attention not only for its rarity but also for its historical significance. Over the past three decades, there have been only six trades between the two rivals. As a piece of trivia, one such trade took place in 1997 when the Red Sox sent Randy Brown and Mike Stanley to the Yankees in exchange for Jim Mecir and a young pitching prospect. That prospect eventually became part of the deal with the Expos that brought Pedro Martinez to Boston. Can you guess the name of that pitcher?

Hint: His father, who also played for the Red Sox, had an exceptional season in 1984, hitting 43 home runs for Boston.

With their latest acquisition of these three promising pitching prospects, the Red Sox aim to strengthen their roster and solidify their position in the highly competitive American League East.