The Boston Red Sox made a franchise-altering move when they traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants after their series sweep of the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox are just 1/2 a game back of a wild card spot, but just traded their best hitter away. The Red Sox created financial flexibility by trading the remainder of Devers' 10-year, $313 million deal to the Giants. They can use that money to add stars at the trade deadline or in free agency, but may have to end up using a chunk of it on Alex Bregman now.
The Red Sox signed Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal before the season. Bregman was having a career year at the plate before his injury. He was slashing .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs in 51 games. Bregman's deal has an opt-out, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic expects Bregman to opt out, especially knowing the Red Sox now don't have Devers' contract on the books.
"Oh, but Bregman will be back soon, you say? Yep, and the Sox can bank on him opting out at the end of the season," Rosenthal wrote. "No problem, just give Bregman the money the Sox saved with Devers, right? That sound you hear is the cackling of Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, who, according to unconfirmed reports, was last seen rolling on the floor in hysterics."
Bregman was likely going to opt out anyway after showing he can perform like an All-Star again. The Red Sox were going to have to pay up if they wanted to keep him, but now there is next to no chance Bregman plays on his current deal. He knows his worth and knows the Red Sox have the money to give it to him now.
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The Red Sox's signing of Bregman is actually what started the disconnect between Devers and the team. Devers did not want to move off of third base, but eventually was forced to. After that, he refused to return to the field and play first base as he felt the team was disrespecting him by expecting him to switch positions again.
The next few weeks will be important for the Red Sox. They can make a postseason push, but may need to be active at the deadline to make it happen. When Bregman returns, they will get a huge boost, but he may continue to drive up his price tag, meaning the Red Sox cannot get too aggressive at the deadline.
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