The Boston Red Sox stunned the baseball world on Sunday by trading their highest-paid player and franchise cornerstone, Rafael Devers, to the San Francisco Giants. In a surprising move, the Giants agreed to take on the entirety of Devers’ massive 10-year, \$313.5 million contract, which he signed ahead of the 2023 season.
As a result, San Francisco is now responsible for paying Devers roughly \$250 million over the next nine seasons, including the remainder of this year.
Dealing a player of Devers’ caliber — and with such a significant financial commitment — once seemed unimaginable. But with this blockbuster move, Boston and San Francisco have reset the boundaries of what’s possible in MLB trades.
In light of this, Bleacher Report’s lead MLB writer Zachary D. Rymer has put together a list of hypothetical trades involving other stars with long-term, high-dollar deals — scenarios that might have once seemed just as unlikely as the Devers deal.
Tigers Could Trade For a Shortstop
According to Rymer, the Detroit Tigers could see major benefits from their newfound flexibility to trade star players. After a late-season surge last year — turning a 62-66 record on August 22 into a 24-10 finish that clinched them the second American League playoff spot — the Tigers have emerged this season as the top team in baseball.
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They currently hold a commanding 9.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and, with a 47-27 record heading into Wednesday’s games, own the best mark in any division. That puts them ahead of the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, both at 45-28, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sit at 45-29.
But could the Tigers still improve? Rymer believes they can — specifically at shortstop.
He points out that the position has contributed just 0.4 rWAR and a -3 Outs Above Average. The Tigers have split shortstop duties between Javier Báez (18 games), Zach McKinstry (8), and Andy Ibañez (1), but most of the starts — 62 — have gone to Trey Sweeney. Sweeney has struggled at the plate, hitting .222 with a weak .591 OPS and a wRC+ of only 68, meaning he’s been 32% below the league-average hitter in offensive production.
Padres’ Bogaerts Would Benefit From Comerica Park
Could the Tigers upgrade at shortstop? According to Rymer, the answer is yes—if they manage to strike a deal with the Padres for veteran Xander Bogaerts.
Bogaerts, now 32, spent the first 10 years of his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox, earning four All-Star selections. After the 2022 season, he signed an eye-popping 11-year, $280 million contract with San Diego.
“His deal looked questionable from day one, and it’s aged poorly just three years in,” Rymer noted. “Outside of a strong opening month in 2023, his bat has mostly been quiet, especially with a weak .661 OPS since the beginning of 2024.”
Still, Rymer believes a fresh start—particularly in Detroit—could help revitalize Bogaerts.
“Comerica Park is basically the opposite of Petco Park. While it suppresses home runs for right-handed hitters, it’s much more favorable for singles and doubles,” he wrote. “The wide outfield gaps could play well to Bogaerts’ strengths.”
What might it cost Detroit to acquire him? If Rafael Devers’ recent trade is any indication, the price could be a mix of young talent and top prospects.
One name that could be on the table is Hao-Yu Lee, the Tigers’ No. 6 prospect. The 22-year-old infielder from Taiwan, originally signed by the Phillies in 2021, is praised by MLB Pipeline for his advanced strike zone awareness and consistent contact. He’s also shown strong instincts on the bases, going 16-for-17 in stolen base attempts in 2024, and provides solid defense at second base.
Currently at Triple-A, Lee could be a candidate to step into San Diego’s infield soon—either this season or next, depending on how ready the Padres think he is.
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