The Boston Red Sox shocked baseball when they traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a midseason blockbuster. In doing so, the Red Sox cleared roughly $250 million in future salary obligations. Jon Heyman of the New York Post says the Red Sox shouldn’t rush to spend that money on a quick fix but should use it to build something sustainable.
Heyman: Boston’s Rebuild Should Start With Two Key Names
Appearing on MLB Network Friday, Heyman laid out his vision for how the Red Sox can maximize the Devers deal—not by chasing short-term headlines, but by building around two names already in the clubhouse: Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony.
“I do think they are a playoff team this year,” Heyman said. “But in terms of the fans, they’ve got work to do, and it certainly should start with Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony.”
Currently on the 60-day IL with a quad strain, Bregman was part of the positional controversy that sparked Devers’ trade. Heyman believes the Red Sox should flip the narrative and lock in the two-time All-Star with a long-term deal.
Bregman Has Opt-Out Leverage—Boston Should Act Fast
Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal last winter, including opt-outs after each season. And according to Heyman, there’s no doubt what Bregman will do.
“In my opinion, they should try to lock up Bregman,” Heyman added. “I mean, look, he’s got an opt-out. He’s gonna opt out. There’s no way around that.”
Bregman reportedly turned down a $171.5 million offer from the Detroit Tigers before signing with Boston. He’s made it clear he wants to compete, and Heyman says the Red Sox offer the ideal fit for a player with a championship pedigree.
“This is a guy that really fits Boston,” Heyman said. “He loves it in that big market. He’s a winner.”
Anthony is the Future—and the Red Sox Know It
The second pillar in Heyman’s proposed plan is outfielder Roman Anthony, the 20-year-old top prospect who debuted with the club in June. Though he’s only played in nine MLB games, Anthony has already shown flashes of the power-speed combo that made him a prized asset in Boston’s farm system.
The Red Sox have been cautious not to put too much pressure on Anthony too soon, but if they don’t pursue a major bat to replace Devers this summer, it will be seen as a vote of confidence in the rookie’s long-term potential.
Anthony’s early promotion could also signal that the Red Sox front office is serious about evaluating him at the major league level before the next spending wave begins this offseason.
Boston’s Payroll Flexibility Opens Doors
The trade of Devers cleared significant financial space. Per Spotrac, the Red Sox are now 19th in MLB on the payroll. Well behind division rivals like the Yankees and Blue Jays. For a large-market team with a rabid fanbase, that’s not where Boston intends to stay.
Whether that money goes toward re-signing Bregman, extending Anthony early, or pursuing a marquee free agent this winter (think Kyle Tucker or Pete Alonso), Boston has options—and leverage.
But for Heyman, the best way forward is not to panic. It’s to invest in the core they already have.
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