The Boston Red Sox have been dealing with a $313 million problem named Rafael Devers for the past few weeks. When Devers was asked to play first base after Triston Casas' injury, he shot down the idea, basically blaming the front office for moving him to designated hitter in the first place.
This has led many to believe Devers could be traded this season despite his incredible production on the field.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller recently listed the Washington Nationals at the top of the potential suitors in the Devers trade sweepstakes.
"James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ Abrams are thriving. Ideally, Dylan Crews will soon start hitting well enough to join that club of foundational pieces," Miller wrote. "Josiah Gray should be back from Tommy John surgery, rejoining what could be a stout rotation. Most pertinent to this discussion, though: No one in that group of key players is exactly making big money right now.
"In fact, after going north of $200 million to win it all in 2019, the Nats presently have the lowest 'active 26-man' payroll for 2026, and undeniably have the financial flexibility to go out and acquire a Devers-sized contract, even with quite a bit of dead/deferred money still owed to Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer."
The Nationals could work as a suitor if the Red Sox decided to trade him. They have a loaded young core and the prospect capital and payroll to make a deal work.
But the Red Sox shouldn't trade Devers. He's far too important to the team to be moved in a deal. Boston is in a win-now situation, and Devers is a cornerstone of the team.
Everything could change if the superstar demands a deal.
