Rafael Devers Mock Trades
Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
John Henry had to fly down to the Dominican Republic in the 2023 offseason to get the 10 year/ $313.5M extension with Rafael Devers over the line. Now, we hear from the Red Sox that Henry had to fly to Kansas City in the middle of the series to have an emergency meeting with Devers. First, Devers didn’t want to move off third for the Gold Glove winner, Alex Bregman. The Sox wanted him as a DH, and he eventually came around. He got into a new DH routine without the defensive drills, and has been putting up his typical numbers since his slow start. That was before Triston Casas tripped over Ty France’s foot and tore his patellar tendon. With Casas out for the year, the Red Sox are interested in getting Masataka Yoshida back in the lineup. With Yoshida being strictly a DH, that would relegate Raffy to first. The Red Sox asked Devers, and he got upset, yet again. The front office seems to be pushing harder regardless, and the Henry meeting is evidence of that approach. If this is unable to be worked out, there could be a trade on the horizon. Even if it does get worked out temporarily, is it possible that the damage done to the relationship is irreparable?
Mock Trade #1
Chicago Cubs trade Moisés Ballesteros and Kevin Alcántara for Rafael Devers and Sean Newcomb
The Cubs have a huge hole at third right now, especially with Matt Shaw showing his green approach at the plate. He hit .172 in 68 PA’s, struck out too often, and rarely hit the ball hard. Counsell has had Jon Berti getting the lion share of starts at the hot corner recently, but he’s a utility guy and doesn’t provide the power you need from the position. The Cubs made a huge move to get Kyle Tucker, and they’re leading the NL Central by a few games. Chicago has the 2nd best offense in the National League right now, and they’re one big bat away from challenging the Dodgers. Devers can step in and immediately add protection for Tucker, as well as 30-35 bombs a year. Veteran lefty Sean Newcomb is much needed starting pitching depth for the Cubs, who just lost Justin Steele to Tommy John. He’s also comfortable out of the pen, he’s a 3.58 ERA this year while filling in as relief and making five starts. He’s a free agent at the end of year, but it’s a way for the Sox to add some value to the deal to get some farm talent back for their All Star.
2025 Top Offenses in MLB (Fangraphs)
The Red Sox would be acquiring two prospects, the first being the bat-forward catcher Ballesteros. He’s not particularly good at framing or blocking, and has a hard time with transfers. His arm is about average, but he’ll need to improve defensively to stick behind the dish. At the plate, he’s hitting .364 this year with a .941 OBP in Iowa, the Cubs’ AAA squad. He’s only 5’8”, but projects to have 20-25 HR power. His main skill is his contact tool though, and he’ll need to hit at least .275 to be worth much as a DH. Originally from the Anthony Rizzo trade, Kevin Alcántara is a completely different player, 6’6” and toolsy. He has a tough time with offspeed and breaking balls, which could mean he never develops a consistent hit tool. He’s a good enough center fielder to be a feast or famine hitter, so long as he can hit .230 or so. He still needs to get to his power in games a bit more, but he’ll be a 20-20 threat every year if he hits enough to stick around. Moisés is the #3 prospect in the Cubbie system per Baseball America, Kevin ranks #5. These two guys would replenish the upper levels of the farm system with Roman Anthony and company getting called up this year at some point.
Mock Trade #2
New York Mets trade Mark Vientos and Drew Gilbert for Rafael Devers and Justin Wilson
The Mets already have a $75M tax bill this year, so what’s another $30M salary? Lindor, Devers, Alonso, and Soto in the same lineup is a terrifying prospect for any opposing club, particularly in October. The Mets are already a top 10 offense in the MLB, but they should be with a payroll well north of $300M. This trade puts their lineup over the top and makes them a significant favorite against the Braves and Phillies to win the NL East. Adding Justin Wilson is a critical piece of this trade in the near team, as the Mets just lost both of their lefties for the year to injuries. They’re currently forced to leverage AAA relievers because of the injury bug, but Wilson is a solid lefty option. He has a 3.00 ERA in 15 appearances this year, and will be a free agent at the end of this season.
2025 Mets Payroll and Tax Numbers (Spotrac)
Mark Vientos hit .326 against fastballs last year, but he can’t really hit anything else. He hasn’t been able to make adjustments this year either, hitting .227/.304/.371 in 2025 so far. Even with the breaking balls issues, he’s got a 107 OPS+ and has proven to have 30 HR power. He’s not very good at third, and Boston isn’t going to move Alex Bregman to put Vientos at the hot corner. He’d play 1B in Boston, and would be a welcome addition to a lineup with three lefties in the top half. Cora would be getting a right-handed power hitter who has a chance to be an .800+ OPS bat. Mark has five years of team control left, while Drew Gilbert hasn’t even made his debut yet. Gilbert was in the Verlander trade a few years ago, being sent to the Mets in exchange and now ranks as the #10 prospect in the system. Drew doesn’t have a carrying tool per se, but he can play all three outfield positions well and has a strong arm. The Red Sox could use another kid who can play center, what if Rafaela’s bat never comes around?
Mock Trade #3
Cincinnati Reds trade Spencer Steer, Tyson Lewis, and Connor Burns for Rafael Devers
The Reds signed Jeimer Candelario to a 3 yr/$45M deal with a team option during the 2024 offseason, and he’s hit .207/.265/.394 for the Reds. He's in the bottom 10% in almost every offensive category this year, not hitting the ball hard with a ton of swing and miss. With this deal, the Reds have an All Star 3B and middle-of-the-order bat behind Elly De La Cruz for the next several years. It removes the need to put Jeimer at third and could give him a chance to bounce back at first with Steer gone. If they choose to cut bait on him, Encarnacion-Strand should get regular at-bats once he’s healthy again.
Rafael Devers 2025 Metrics (Baseball Savant)
The Reds offense has a .691 OPS, but an even worse 91 OPS+ because they play half of their games at Great American. They’re entering a competitive window, and they’re not known to sign big free agents. This trade is an opportunity to avoid the free agents market, and take on an All Star bat with an .854 career OPS. They’ll be taking some cash on, but Steer and a couple prospects isn’t too steep a price for an .850 OPS bat. The Red Sox will be acquiring four years of team control with Steer, who’s been a 99 OPS+ bat over his 1,568 plate appearances in the show. He can play left or first– he would immediately plug a hole at first for Breslow and the front office. Reds’ #9 prospect Tyson Lewis is a high risk, high reward infielder drafted out of Nebraska in the 2nd round of 2024. Lewis is only 19 and has yet to play in a pro game. Burns provides org depth at catcher, a position of need with Kyle Teel being moved this offseason in the Crochet deal.
*Stats are as of 5/10/2025