The Boston Red Sox have lost Triston Casas for the year with a knee injury. The injury led to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow requesting Rafael Devers to play third base.
The Red Sox's request of Devers was not met with much enthusiasm. Devers noted he was upset with the team's request and that he felt the team was not staying true to its word after telling him in spring training he would be the everyday designated hitter.
"Yeah," Devers replied to a question on if he was upset about being asked to play first base. "I don't think they stay true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH. And now they are going back on that. So yeah, I don't think they stay true to their word."
Being the designated hitter was definitely an adjustment for Devers. He started the season 0-for-19. He has settled in and does not want to go through a position change now. He went on to say Breslow should "hit the market" to find a first baseman.
Devers' comments came when he was standing up for himself amid the team's attempt to make him change positions again. However, his comments are also having a negative effect on the clubhouse.
According to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr, his teammates were listening while he spoke to the media and "the reactions were not positive," she wrote on X.
FanDuel proposed this trade with the Chicago Cubs that could solve the Red Sox's Devers headache:
- Red Sox receive: 3B Matt Shaw (Cubs No. 1 prospect), C/1B Moisés Ballesteros (Cubs No. 4 prospect), RHP Nazier Mulé (Cubs No. 26 prospect) and INF Jon Berti
- Cubs receive: 3B Rafael Devers and LHP Sean Newcomb
Shaw started the season in the big leagues for the Cubs and is a top 100 prospect. He was sent back down to Triple-A after some early struggles. Ballesteros is also in Triple-A and can play first base. Meanwhile, the Cubs would be getting a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger.
The Cubs are leading the National League Central and are looking for an elite third baseman. Adding Devers would let him play third base again and strengthen their lineup. Trading two top-100 prospects is a steep ask, but the Cubs would be getting a third baseman they can play for years to come.
