Phillies Rumors: 3 moves Dave Dombrowski needs make to keep up with Mets
By Tim Boyle
2. Phillies can go for broke and trade for Rafael Devers
In the dream Phillies lineup, Rafael Devers starts at third base. The Boston Red Sox have yet to give their strong third baseman an extension. Trading him now makes great baseball sense. It might also lead to Chaim Bloom getting run out of not only Boston but all of New England and the connecting states.
Devers is exactly what the Phillies need at third base. The only thing that might make him a greater fit is if he hit right-handed instead of left. Alec Bohm had a fine year for the Phillies in 2022. His defensive skills, however, remain an issue. Devers is far better than him in every way possible.
Trading for Devers would mean a couple of things for Philadelphia. They’d need to extend him quickly, something Boston has dragged their feet on doing. It might even be too late for them to do anything about it. Devers saw them allow Xander Bogaerts to opt out and walk away. Something similar happened when they traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers only to see him win with them and get an extension.
Devers is the kind of player you empty the farm system to acquire. The Phillies could wait and hope he reaches free agency next year. They can also act now.
In keeping up with the Mets, the Phillies need to make bold moves. Nothing may be bolder than trading for Devers.