A massive trade package to send Rafael Devers to the Detroit Tigers

If the Red Sox surprise baseball and trade Rafael Devers, a potential dark horse destination could be the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers took a rather obvious step back last season, and hired a new president of baseball operations as a result in Scott Harris. Al Avila took the fall, but Detroit still has a roster full of young talent, and an overpriced Javy Baez.

Don’t expect Detroit to extend its rebuild too long, but they need some help prying open the playoff window. Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, among others, are in the majors. It’s time to start winning games.

The Tigers need another star — and a reliable one at that — and they have the young talent to send a monster trade package to Boston. But would the Red Sox consider such a move?

Would the Red Sox trade Rafael Devers?

Boston is unlikely to trade Devers at all, especially right now. Losing another homegrown star just weeks after Xander Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres would be catastrophic for Chaim Bloom. Still, Devers is expected to earn a contract over $300 million, and there’s some question as to whether Red Sox management will want to pick up that tab.

If they don’t plan on signing Devers before next offseason, then a trade makes sense. Might as well get something for a star the caliber of Devers while they still can, no?

A Tigers trade package for Rafael Devers

Devers will be a free agent after this season, which could lower the price tag for his services from ‘Juan Soto trade package’ to something a little more manageable. Still, he won’t come cheap.

That is a strong trade package by the Tigers, who would offer up the ace of their pitching staff, as well as No. 4 prospect in Ty Madden, who could be MLB-ready as soon as next year. Henry-Malloy is another top-10 prospect who can play third base if needed, while Luis Garcia is a near-MLB ready shortstop also in Detroit’s top-30 prospects.

Trading Rafael Devers shouldn’t be an option for Boston. They really ought to sign him to an expensive contract extension. But if they don’t, this might be the best offer they can get.