Father’s Day was a rollercoaster of emotions for Boston Red Sox fans.
Optimism was through the roof Sunday afternoon when the Red Sox swept the Yankees at Fenway Park to get above .500, but hope turned into despair later that night when news broke that Rafael Devers was being traded to the San Fransisco Giants.
While Devers’ unwillingness to play first base fractured his relationship with the front office and fans alike, seeing the Red Sox part ways with another homegrown star likely halts any momentum they got from beating their heated rivals five times in a row.
The stunning move also signals that the Red Sox are more focused on the future than the present. Dealing Devers frees up a spot for top prospect Roman Anthony to get regular playing time, but it also hurts any chance they have of contending this season.
The Red Sox probably won’t have a firesale at the trade deadline since they are still just a half game out of a wild-card spot, but they could look to move some veteran players who no longer fit the direction of the team.
With Devers being the first major trade domino to fall, FanSided named closer Aroldis Chapman as the next player who could be shipped out of Boston.
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Chapman is 37 years old and on an expiring contract, so it doesn’t make much sense to keep him on a team that is embracing the youth movement.
Even though Chapman is a rental player, the Red Sox could get a decent haul for the seven-time All-Star because of how dominant he’s been this year.
With a 1.55 ERA, 12 saves, and some of the best advanced metrics in the game, contenders will be chomping at the bit for a guy like Chapman.
The Devers blockbuster was likely just the beginning, so the next order of business for Boston should be capitalizing on Chapman’s trade value.
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