Since Boston Red Sox designated hitte informed the team and media that he won’t switch to first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury, trade speculation has intensified.
Although it’s unlikely the Red Sox would move Him without him asking for a trade, it’s not out of the question.
Still, a deal sending him to an AL East rival like the New York Yankees is even more improbable—especially with Devers still under contract for eight more years on the 10-year, $313.5 million deal he signed in January 2023.
Is a Red Sox-Yankees Trade Involving Devers a Possibility?
On Saturday, Adam Weinrib of FanSided speculated about a hypothetical trade that would send Rafael Devers to the New York Yankees—a scenario he admitted is highly unlikely.
Weinrib argued that the Red Sox no longer seem to value Devers for his defense, assuming they ever did. Despite having signed him to a 10-year contract that runs through 2033, Weinrib claimed Boston now sees Devers primarily as a designated hitter.
He suggested that if the Yankees showed interest in using Devers at third base, the Red Sox might be tempted to offload the later, potentially less-productive years of his contract in exchange for the satisfaction of saddling their rivals with the burden.
“It would be an unwise and risky move,” Weinrib wrote, adding that Devers’ performance over the next few years is likely to justify the contract. “Still, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. There could be some appeal in handing the Yankees a declining star—especially one who’s looked radioactive at times.”
After a slow start to the season, Devers has bounced back at the plate. The three-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champ is now hitting .280 with a .398 on-base percentage and a .490 slugging percentage, good for an .888 OPS—22nd-best in the majors. He’s also drawn 31 walks, second only to Marcell Ozuna of the Braves, who has 34.
What would a Trade Package for Devers look like?
It’s reasonable to believe the Boston Red Sox would demand a significant return from the New York Yankees in any trade involving Rafael Devers.
“Acquiring Devers would be an extremely difficult task,” Weinrib wrote. “If traded, he’d likely hold down third base in New York until Giancarlo Stanton’s contract ends in 2027. The Yankees would be taking on 8.5 years of Devers’ $31 million annual salary, with about six of those years likely spent as a designated hitter.”
While such a move wouldn’t block Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr., it would be tough to complete a deal without including the 19-year-old standout, and Boston would almost certainly be eager to add him to their long-term plans.
Lombard, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, impressed during spring training and was recently promoted to Double-A Somerset. But the Red Sox would want more than just him in return.
“Outside of Lombard Jr., Boston isn’t in need of outfielders,” Weinrib noted. “They’re already struggling to find space for Roman Anthony. Instead, the Yankees would need to sweeten the offer with pitching, headlined by major-leaguer Luis Gil.
Adding 2024 first-rounder Ben Hess, fireballer Carlos Lagrange, and perhaps a lower-level prospect like outfielder Francisco Vilorio as a possible future trade chip might be the best offer New York could realistically make.”
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