After playing 42 games, the Boston Red Sox are 22-20 and have won their last two series against the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. However, instead of talking about how well the team has played lately, the headline has become superstar Rafael Devers’s reluctance to play first base when the team has a clear need following Triston Casas’s season-ending injury.
On Thursday, Devers spoke to Red Sox Chief of Baseball Operations, Craig Breslow about the idea of him switching positions from designated hitter to first base and made his position clear:
"Now, they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player. I'm not sure why they want me to be an in-between. Next thing you know, someone in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield. I know the kind of player that I am, and that's where I stand."Rafael Devers, Red Sox Third Baseman
With the three-time All-Star disgruntled, trade speculation has begun to surface. According to Fan Duel, there is a trade rumor where Devers and pitcher Sean Newcomb would be sent to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for their #1, #4, and #26 prospects, along with utility infielder Jon Berti.
Rafael Devers and the Red Sox are at odds.
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) May 9, 2025
The Cubs have a MAJOR hole at 3B.
Should Chicago & Boston link up on a MASSIVE trade for the 3x All-Star? 😳#BeHereForIt | #DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/FFDNJUjJ0f
In this proposed deal, the Red Sox get a haul for Devers. In Matt Shaw they get the 18th-ranked prospect according to MLB.com and their long-term answer at third base. While offseason free agency signing Alex Bregman has been off to a hot start, he has an opt-out after this season and may hit free agency again in hopes of a larger contract. In addition to Shaw, Moises Ballesteros is the 61st-ranked prospect and can be the team’s starting first baseman for years to come (with Triston Casas’s future in Boston uncertain).
While the Red Sox are giving away the best player in the trade, the return from the Cubs of two top-100 prospects at premium positions may be too appealing to ignore.
With the team hovering around .500, the Sox have a difficult decision on their hands: go all in on this season or transition and let their highly-ranked prospects lead a rebuild.