Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers should not be included in any trades
By Oliver Gold
Slumps aren’t unusual
A lot of young players go through slumps like this in their first full season. Boston saw it first hand when Xander Bogaerts had a brutal 2014 season. Bogaerts, who was 21 years old at the time, hit just .240 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs. He struck out 138 times and walked just 39 times.
The next season, the shortstop won his first Silver Slugger Award, batting .320 with 7 homers and 81 RBIs and struck out 37 fewer times. The Red Sox stayed patient with Xander, and it has paid off, as he has been the everyday shortstop for the Red Sox since 2014 and has two Silver Sluggers.
It is rare to find a young player produce great numbers in their first full season in the big leagues. Devers might not put up great stats this year, but the Red Sox shouldn’t be too worried. His potential is off the charts. If he lives up to his hype as a prospect, Devers should be the Red Sox third baseman for a long time.