MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers

Some general managers like to hold onto prospects and allow them to develop into full-time MLB starters. Others, like Dave Dombrowski of the Red Sox, have a reputation for dealing their top chips. Dombrowski, who built his reputation as a dealer with the Detroit Tigers, has already acquired Craig Kimbrel, Drew Pomeranz, Chris Sale, and a handful of lesser pieces since taking over the Red Sox last year.

You would think that trading for three big names would have depleted the Red Sox farm system, but not so. The amount of resources at Boston’s disposal (and the fact that Theo Epstein had previously been at the helm) have left them with one of the deepest farm systems in the league.

One could make the argument that the Red Sox decision to spend so boldly in free agency while dealing away all of their top prospects is a bad approach that in no small way contributed to their three last-place seasons from 2012 to 2016. It’s an argument that would certainly hold water, but Dombrowski will hear nothing of it. The Red Sox need a third baseman and a fifth starter if they are going to contend with the Houston Astros for the AL pennant this year.

Rafael Devers is likely the next in a long line of top Boston prospects to be sent on the move come July. Devers is blessed with jaw-dropping tools and has exceptional bat speed and power to all fields. He is over four years younger than the average competition in Double-A this season, but is slugging .500 and showing an advanced approach at the plate.

The Red Sox need a third baseman in the worst way right now, but should really think long and hard before including their top prospect in any trade. Devers could become a multi-time All-Star at third base starting as early as next season. While the need to acquire a bat or an arm is very pressing now, holding back on a big trade would allow the Red Sox to add another stud to their already impressive young core.