2. RAFAEL DEVERS
Rafael Devers would not only be a massive upgrade at third base for the Miami Marlins, but would also be a middle of the order bat that we do badly need. The Boston Red Sox aren’t going to the playoffs this season, he’s a free agent after next season, and have been low-balling him on an extension.
Rafael Devers is a career .281/.339/.513 hitter who is batting .288/.347/.526 with 26 home runs and 79 RBI this season. He also has a very impressive 4.3 WAR. It’s pretty obvious that the Miami Marlins would be a lot better with him on the team.
Are there any red flags with Rafael Devers? There are actually. Part of the reason why Boston has been low-balling him, is because the belief is that he’s so bad defensively at third base, thst he’s better off moving to first base. First base however is typically easier to fill and so here we are. Obviously it shouldn’t be an issue for The Fish at all.
What would Rafael Devers cost the Miami Marlins? The same price as Tim Anderson…nothing. I hate to be a negative Neil, but I just don’t see a scenario where Boston trades him. They will almost surely try to contend next season, and they’re not going to trade their best hitter. I do however think that we can afford Devers in free agency after the season, remember if we don’t even bid for him, it’s because Bruce Sherman doesn’t want to, and not because we can’t afford him.