Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

WATCH: Rafael Devers practices at hot corner amid trade rumors

Who will cave first? Rafael Devers or the Red Sox?

Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Rafael Devers isn’t letting trade chatter keep him from his preferred position. Despite ongoing speculation about his future, the Boston Red Sox slugger was spotted taking reps at third base during Spring Training – a clear sign that, for now, he’s not giving up the hot corner.

Rafael Devers is back in action at 3B
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— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) February 23, 2025

A defensive gamble for Rafael Devers and the Red Sox

Rafael Devers is one of baseball’s premier hitters, but his defense at third has always been a question mark. While the Red Sox could benefit from shifting him to designated hitter to keep him healthy and maximize his bat, Devers remains adamant about staying in the field.

The dilemma for Boston? An unhappy Rafael Devers could mean a less productive Devers, and that’s a risk the team might not want to take. As Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer pointed out in his latest trade breakdown, Devers still holds significant trade value, but is moving him really worth the gamble?

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With Alex Bregman now in the fold and taking reps at both third and second base, the Red Sox have some flexibility but they also have a decision to make.

Potential trade destinations for Rafael Devers

Trade rumors have followed Devers all offseason, and teams in need of a third baseman could come calling if the Red Sox show any willingness to move their star. According to Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report, these three teams could put together intriguing offers:

New York Mets: The Red Sox receive Starling Marte, top prospect Brandon Sproat (Mets No. 1), and Drew Gilbert (Mets No. 7) in exchange for Rafael Devers. This deal would provide salary relief and young talent, but would Boston be giving up too much for an uncertain return?
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers, already stacked with talent, could land Devers in exchange for Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, right-hander Bobby Miller, and infield prospect Alex Freeland (Dodgers No. 4). Miller, a promising young arm, could be a key factor in the deal.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have long been linked to Bregman, but if they turn their attention to Devers, they could offer Seiya Suzuki and catcher Moises Ballesteros (Cubs No. 3 prospect). Suzuki would provide an offensive boost, and Ballesteros could be Boston’s long-term solution behind the plate.

Trading Devers would be a massive shake-up for Boston, especially after signing Bregman and signaling their intent to compete. But maybe the best move isn’t a move at all.

For all the speculation, the simplest solution might be to leave Devers where he wants to be – at third base, in a Red Sox uniform, and happy. After all, a motivated Devers in Boston’s lineup might be worth more than any trade return.

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Rafael Devers

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Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.