The Philadelphia Phillies are catching strays amid the most intriguing story in baseball at the moment and it could be getting some fans excited.
After Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers openly criticized the team’s front office following an ask that he take over first base for an injured teammate, the baseball world has been focused on the drama. Devers seemed displeased with team officials, he drew ire from some teammates and his outburst has driven speculation that he and the team could part ways.
On paper, at least, one team that could make sense as a trade landing spot for Devers might be the Phillies, who could be looking for an offensive boost toward the World Series. As Jake Storiale of Jomboy Media recently pointed out, the Phillies could be looking for a third base upgrade over Alec Bohm and may soon need a replacement for pending free agent Kyle Schwarber.
While it might be too early to seriously consider such a dramatic transaction, On Pattison’s Tim Kelly pointed to a unique connection between the Phillies and Devers that might come into play if the Red Sox really do look to trade him away.
“You have the obvious angle that (Phillies executive) Dave Dombrowski was leading Boston’s front office when a 21-year-old Devers helped the Red Sox to win the 2018 World Series,” Kelly wrote. “It may be that the Red Sox work things out with Devers. If not, though, the Phillies will continue to be mentioned as a possible landing spot for him.”
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Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow did not take his role until after the team had already given Devers a 10-year, $313 million contract. He might not view that deal as one he wants to keep on the books going forward and, ultimately, Dombrowski and the Phillies might be interested in taking it off of his hands.
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