Boston Red Sox rumors: Mega trade proposal for Shohei Ohtani

Why and how the Boston Red Sox trading for Shohei Ohtani makes sense

The top reason for trading for former American League MVP Ohtani is as plain as the nose on one’s face. He’s just a terrific player. At 28 years old, he’s in his prime with significant-good years left likely both as a pitcher and a hitter.

When his pitching days are over, he’ll still be a fabulous hitting addition as an outfielder or designated hitter on a Red Sox lineup that gets thinner by the day.

One option for Boston is to swap a super-player for a superstar. That super player is Rafael Devers. Efforts to sign Devers to an extension have languished.

"The Red Sox are said to have offered Devers a bit more than the $212 million deal Austin Riley signed with the Braves, but he is seeking significantly more than that. He has the most extra-base hits in baseball over the past four years, is second in total bases to Freddie Freeman by two, is also second in RBIs in the American League to Jose Abreu, and third in home runs in the AL to Aaron Judge and Marcus Semien. Also of significance: Devers, who is seeking $300 million-plus, is only a year away from free agency."

Devers is a bonafide All-Star and not just chopped liver to throw into the deal. The move to make is either to sign him soon to an extension or trade him this offseason, as in now and not at the trade deadline.

He’s a top major-league baseball player and any team would be happy to have him. It certainly would salve the pain for the Angels to get a great player back. And of course, more would likely have to be added to the deal in the way of top prospects.

That’s where additional pain would have to be endured by Boston. But to get the best you have to pay up. If healthy, Ohtani has no question marks as any prospect does. Just go ahead and make the deal and add two top prospects like Marcelo Meyer, Triston Casas, or other top five prospects if you have to.