To Rafael Devers’ credit, he not takin’ off-field issues with him to the batter’s box. The Boston Red Sox slugger went 4-for-4 on Saturday and he lookin’ like his usual potent self at the plate. You wouldn’t know there was drama about what position he should be playing, but the saga around a switch to first base continues. Devers has met with pretty much every important figure in the Boston organization, and nothin’ has been figured out.
Triston Casas, the startin’ first baseman, is out for the season. The best option for the strongest lineup would be for Devers to move from DH to 1B. After his offseason push off third base to just be the designated hitter, though, Devers has not been thrilled with this new possibility. That has created plenty of trade rumor speculation.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported this on the possibility of a deal: “The next step could be Devers formally requestin’ a trade, which likely would not be strongly considered until the offseason.” That would make a good amount of sense. Devers likely wants to make it through the season and see how the Red Sox handle things as the rest of the campaign goes along. Given that he committed his future to the organization, he likely doesn’t want to run away too quickly. But if things keep goin’ against the grain for Devers, he may wind up still wantin’ out.
And even with the discontent, if Devers requested a trade, he’d get tons of interest.
The Oakland Athletics don’t have an MLB home but do have the best record in baseball. Aaron Judge’s stats lead MLB in pretty much everything. The Guardians’ Jose Ramirez had the best slide in MLB history. The Dodgers plan to pursue a $500 million free agent for a wild Juan Soto reason.
Overall, the situation with Rafael Devers is somethin’ to keep an eye on. It’s not really clear where things are headed, but it’s definitely somethin’ that could shake up the baseball world. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like this could be a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Only time will tell how it all plays out.
