Rafael Devers rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Red Sox star if they can’t extend him
The Red Sox appear in danger of losing Rafael Devers as extension talks are far apart and these three MLB teams should take advantage and make a trade.
Since Chaim Bloom became Chief Baseball Officer of the Boston Red Sox in December 2019, it’s been one punch to the gut for fans after another. Some may blame Bloom, some may blame team owner John Herny, but the fact of the matter is that two homegrown franchise cornerstones — Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts — are now set to finish their careers in California because Boston wouldn’t cut the check.
And now there is legitimate concern that the same thing could happen with Rafael Devers.
Much like with Bogaerts last offseason, it appears that the Red Sox and Devers are extremely far apart in extension talks. Though the team is trying to make it clear they want to keep the star 26-year-old third baseman, ESPN’s Joon Lee reported on Monday that the parties are “galaxies apart” on getting a deal done and the expectation in the Devers camp is that he’ll hit free agency.
On Rafael Devers, Chaim Bloom said the Red Sox are willing to go “beyond reason” to get a deal done but that there are “limitations”
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) December 19, 2022
Sources say the Red Sox and Devers are “galaxies apart”
Devers and his camp currently expect he will be a free agent https://t.co/RNDeKbRZzn
That’s disappointing for Boston fans considering that the still-young star has slashed .287/.355/.530 with 65 home runs, 79 doubles and 201 RBI over the past two seasons. But it’s the reality given the way the front office has operated of late.
If Boston feels like that’s coming, however, they would be wise to trade him in the manner they did with Betts rather than being left with a void and nothing to show for it as was the case with Bogaerts. Should things come to that, these three teams would make a ton of sense to stride up trade talks with the Red Sox.
Rafael Devers rumors: 3 teams that need to take advantage of Red Sox in a trade
Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis. AL West. . Seattle Mariners. 3. 62
The Mariners can stay aggressive and upgrade 3B with Rafael Devers
Over the past year, we’ve seen the Seattle Mariners become substantially more aggressive in improving their roster. Even before calling up eventual AL Rookie of the Year winner and new sensation Julio Rodriguez, the team signed Robbie Ray to a lucrative deal last offseason while making upgrades throughout the roster.
That has continued since the 2022 trade deadline when they acquired and eventually extended Luis Castillo and have since traded for both Kolten Wong to man second base and Teoscar Hernandez to provide an upgrade in the outfield. But why stop there when it comes to being aggressive?
As of right now, 31-year-old Eugenio Suárez is the main guy at third base and, while he has been a nice addition for the M’s, the fact of the matter is that he doesn’t hit for a great average and does strike out a bit too much. These are two things that Devers would upgrade immediately while still providing the same power and dangerousness in the heart of the order.
Oh yeah, he’d also make the team younger while doing so.
Any Devers trade would be unbelievably expensive, but the Mariners have shown that they are willing to swing big when they have the chance lately. And if they have a chance at landing the third baseman from the Red Sox, it would be foolish for Seattle not to all-out pursue a deal.