After an offseason widely praised as a success, the Boston Red Sox entered 2025 spring training with renewed optimism. However, that positivity quickly took a hit when franchise cornerstone Rafael Devers—who’s in the second year of his 10-year, $313.5 million deal—flatly refused to change positions to accommodate newly signed free agent Alex Bregman.
Adding to the drama, first baseman Triston Casas publicly backed Devers over Bregman and went a step further, arguing that top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell shouldn’t be promoted because “we’ve got some grown men up there right now.”
With tensions rising, veteran sports journalist Gethin Coolbaugh proposed a bold solution in *Boston Sports Journal*: trade Devers for Toronto Blue Jays slugger.
At first glance, the idea might seem extreme, but it has some logic behind it. MLB insider Jon Heyman recently identified the Red Sox as the most likely landing spot for Guerrero Jr. in free agency. Rather than waiting, Coolbaugh suggested making a move now.
“Instead of dreaming about Devers and Guerrero together, what about the notion of trading Devers for Guerrero?” Coolbaugh wrote. “From a baseball standpoint, it would be as close to a perfect, win-win trade for all involved. The Red Sox would replace their maybe disgruntled 28-year-old, $313 million superstar with another superstar who is three years younger—oh, and he isn’t owed $300 million (yet).”
The two players have similar offensive profiles. Guerrero Jr., 25, holds a slight edge in career OPS (.863 vs. .856), and his per-162-game WAR (4.25) is marginally higher than Devers’ (3.72).
Financially, Guerrero Jr. is set to make $28.5 million in 2025 on a one-year deal but is reportedly seeking a contract worth at least $500 million in free agency. Meanwhile, Devers will earn $29.3 million this season, with eight more years remaining on his deal.
While a straight swap might not be realistic, the idea presents an intriguing way for Boston to reset its roster while alleviating internal tensions.
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