While a large swath of Red Sox fans were not happy at all with the team’s decision to unload star infielder (or, while in Boston, DH) Rafael Devers last week, there was also a contingent who supported the deal, given Devers’ unwillingness to shift positions to better serve the team.
A third contingent, though, is taking a wait-and-see approach. Yes, the Red Sox blew up the offense by dumping the only healthy true slugger on the roster. But the team also had, at the time of the deal, six weeks in which to re-allocate the $31 million owed ($14 million remaining) to Devers this year with a trade at the deadline, and to think more long-term about what to do with the $260 million that the team is no longer obliged to pay Devers.
If the Red Sox can remain competitive through the coming three or four weeks, and get big-hitting third baseman Alex Bregman back from his hamstring injury, Boston could be in top position to add a big bat at first base, where Triston Casas is out for the year with a knee injury. Abraham Toro has filled the role admirably, but the Red Sox need more of a threat at the position.
Red Sox Could Add a First Baseman
At MLB.com, veteran reporter Mark Feinsand quoted an National League executive saying that the real payoff from the Devers trade could come next month at the deadline. And he had a name at the ready: Rhys Hoskins, the former Phillies slugger who has knocked 185 homers in eight MLB seasons. He hit 26 homers for Milwaukee last year, and is at 11 for this season.
“What the general public never factors into their knee-jerk trade reactions is what the teams trading away the large contract can now go do with those dollars,” an NL executive told Feinsand. “Boston should go trade for someone like [Brewers first baseman] Rhys Hoskins right now. Then the deal takes on a whole new dimension.”
Indeed, the Red Sox would be wise to take advantage of what should be a bumping market at first base at next month’s deadline. Feinsand also mentioned Nathaniel Lowe of the Nationals as a target, as well as Josh Naylor of the Diamondbacks. He also brought up Ryan O’Hearn of the Orioles, but it’s hard to imagine Baltimore trading O’Hearn within the division.
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