Insider Links Red Sox to Two Sluggers After Rafael Devers Trade

First base has been an enigma for the Boston Red Sox. First, Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury, and then Rafael Devers refused to take over the position due to disagreements with the front office. Since then, Boston has relied on a platoon at the position featuring Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez. While their performance has been serviceable, Boston’s first basemen rank 26th in baseball with a negative 0.7 WAR, making a position upgrade necessary if they want to push for a playoff spot. 

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Red Sox are eyeing two of the top first basemen at the trade deadline.

“The other thing they are going to look at is first base. Now, Abraham Toro has done very well so far at first base, but he has not been considered a ‘starting’ first baseman. I’ll throw out a couple of names there, potentially, for the Red Sox,” said Heyman.  “One would be Josh Naylor. Again, the Diamondbacks are not expected to be a seller, but if they are, there would be a feeding frenzy for him. [He’s a] very good player and RBI guy. That’s a guy they would consider.”

Naylor, 28, is slashing .303/.358/.465 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs this season. The Arizona Diamondbacks' first baseman would be an excellent addition to Boston’s lineup and replace the power absent since Devers departed. The one hiccup could be Naylor’s status as a rental, but it could also allow the All-Star to experience Boston before free agency and potentially lead to him re-signing.

Heyman continued by mentioning Baltimore Orioles’ slugger Ryan O’Hearn as the other player Boston is targeting.