Chicago Cubs rumors: Grading a blockbuster Rafael Devers trade package

The Chicago Cubs, like many teams, could use a player the caliber of Rafael Devers on their roster. Would the Red Sox consider trading him, rather than signing the third baseman long term?

Letting Rafael Devers walk in free agency is a fireable offense for Chaim Bloom, who made the same mistake with Xander Bogaerts this past Winter.

Bloom is staring down the barrel, and Devers has a finger on the trigger. The star third baseman will be a free agent after next season, and is expected to receive a contract in excess of $300 million when all is said and done. Will he receive that from the Red Sox?

If not, Boston must recoup what they can for Devers now, while he still has some value. This is all speculation, of course, but Chicago would make for an intriguing landing spot should Boston consider such a deal.

The Cubs are in the National League, so there’s little crossover even with the new schedule format. Any trade package for Devers, however, would be an expensive one.

Chicago Cubs rumors: A trade package for Rafael Devers

Our friends over at Cubbies Crib did some digging and found a proposed trade for Rafael Devers floating around Twitter from North Side Bound co-founder and writer, Greg Zumach. It’s tough to consider these Cubs rumors, but it’s a start.

To put this trade in perspective, let’s take a deeper dive:

Oh boy, where to start.

Boston fans would surely riot at any trade for Devers, especially one that doesn’t include top prospect capital like Pete Crow-Armstrong. As much as Chicago would like to avoid trading away the No. 30 prospect in all of baseball, odds are he’d need to be a part of this trade.

Morel and Thompson are both intriguing young MLB players. Morel slashed .235/.308/.433 with moderate power (14 home runs in 113 games). Keegan Thompson went 10-5 with a 3.79 ERA.

Cassie is just 20 years old with plenty of upside as the 10th-ranked prospect in Chicago’s system. However, he’s also at a position of depth in the Cubs system (outfield), which makes this all too convenient for Jed Hoyer and Co.

For Boston to part ways with Devers AND Sale, they shouldn’t be paying back any salary unless they receive a better return that includes Crow-Armstrong, or perhaps Brennen Davis as a substitute.

Cubs grade: A. Chicago should jump at the opportunity to take this trade or anything that remotely resembles it. The Cubs keep most of their system in tact and get stronger at third base and starting pitcher. What’s not to love? Sure, Sale comes at a high salary cost (like Devers will eventually) and can’t be relied upon, but at this point, he’d be a throw-in.

Red Sox grade: C- Look, Boston needs to trade Devers if they’re not going to sign him long-term, but this deal resembles the Mookie Betts swap a little too much. In this case, Chris Sale is David Price. Boston could actually get something of value for Sale alone, especially if he pitches somewhat well before the deadline. Devers deserves some top prospects back in return, not some intriguing young players and a No. 10 prospect. This deal could be enough to get Bloom fired.