Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
MLB Writer Makes Wild Prediction With Red Sox's Rafael Devers
Aug 25, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) runs the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox have one of the best offensive players in baseball despite a slow start to the season.

Rafael Devers is a phenomenal player who has had some tough luck to kick off the 2025 Major League Baseball season. He hasn't gotten a hit yet this season after a long offseason. There was a lot of drama about the third base position and it hasn't really stopped even though he is officially the team's designated hitter.

There's been a lot of weird conversations about Devers, but he is a part of the team's current plans and certainly seems like a long-term option for this club. Boston signed him to a team-record 10-year, $313.5 million deal. You don't do that if you aren't keeping a player around. Trade chatter around him is pretty ridiculous at this point.

While this is the case, FanSided's Devon Platana predicted this is Devers' final Opening Day in Boston.

"Nobody would be surprised if Rafael Devers is no longer with the Red Sox after the 2025 season," Platana said. "The veteran slugger created headlines in spring training due to his less-than-enthusiastic reaction towards free-agent signing Alex Bregman stealing the former's starting third base job. Red Sox manager Alex Cora worked hard to smooth out the situation, and it seemed like Devers eventually came around to the idea of being the designated hitter.

"After all, he's more than proven that he can handle DH duties after amassing 200 home runs and 638 RBIs in the eight previous seasons. Fast forward through the season-opening series, and Devers is off to one of the worst starts in big-league history."

It's not everyday you see a contract as large as Devers'. It's even more rare to see someone like that get moved. It doesn't seem likely at all.


This article first appeared on Boston Red Sox on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Yankees continue to enhance bullpen with Jake Bird acquisition
MLB

Yankees continue to enhance bullpen with Jake Bird acquisition

The New York Yankees have continued to fortify their bullpen, acquiring right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, per YES Network's Jack Curry. This trade marks the second recent deal between the Yankees and Rockies, following New York’s July 25 trade for infielder Ryan McMahon. In return, Colorado receives a pair of New York's prospects, second baseman Roc Riggio (No. 10 in the Yankees' system) and left-handed pitcher Ben Shields (No. 28). Both players advanced through the Yankees’ system this season, rising from rookie ball to Double-A. Bird, 29, has posted a 4.73 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings this season. With team control through 2028, Bird represents a long-term asset for New York rather than a short-term rental. Unlike most power arms in the Yankees' bullpen, Bird relies on finesse. His repertoire centers around an 84 mph sweeper — his most used pitch, thrown 39.5% of the time — complemented by an 80.5 mph changeup and a 94.4 mph sinker. Bird will join a revamped bullpen that now includes David Bednar, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates less than an hour prior to the Bird transaction.

Clippers Announce Multiple Roster Moves After Chris Paul Press Conference
NBA

Clippers Announce Multiple Roster Moves After Chris Paul Press Conference

The LA Clippers are putting the final touches on a roster that looks to be a great one, on paper. They've had a busy offseason when many expected them to mostly stand pat, adding Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, and Bradley Beal in free agency while trading Norman Powell away in a three-team deal that netted them John Collins. To make the Bradley Beal move, the Clippers had to waive Jordan Miller, a young prospect they have a lot of belief in. He stayed with the team for the NBA Summer League, made the All-Summer League First Team, but still couldn't find any other opportunities, so it was believed the Clippers could bring him back in some capacity. The Clippers announced on Tuesday that they re-signed Jordan Miller, bringing the former Miami Hurricane back on a two-way contract. They had three two-way players signed already, so they also announced who they waived. "The LA Clippers have signed Jordan Miller to a two-way contract," they announced. "In a corresponding move, the Clippers have waived Patrick Baldwin Jr." Miller averaged 4.1 PPG in his 37 appearances for the Clippers last season, and a staggering 24.5 PPG in his infrequent appearances in the G-League. He was the 48th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and has made a lasting impression on the organization in his time. Baldwin, a former first-round pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Draft, wasn't signed to his two-way contract by the Clippers until March, and he only appeared in two games for them. He was traded after his rookie season for Chris Paul, spent a year and a half with the Wizards, then who traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a four-team deal last year before being waived.

Cubs Target Gets Traded To Yankees In Blockbuster Deal
MLB

Cubs Target Gets Traded To Yankees In Blockbuster Deal

With things moving quickly at the trade deadline, a potential target for the Chicago Cubs has come off the board. The Cubs have done a nice job so far of improving their pitching staff, but there have been some notable relievers who have moved so far. While Chicago has already added Andrew Kittredge, he is more of a middle reliever than a potential eighth or ninth inning pitcher. Adding an impact arm like Jhoan Duran or Ryan Helsley would have been ideal yesterday, but they have also now reportedly missed out on David Bednar. According to Jeff Passan, the talented right-hander from the Pittsburgh Pirates is going to be heading to the New York Yankees. After Duran and Helsley came off the board, Bednar was the next best option, and it was the Yankees who won the bidding war. So far this year, he has totaled a 2.37 ERA and 17 saves in 42 appearances. Due to the struggles of the Pirates, there haven’t been a ton of save opportunities for Bednar, but he has no doubt been one of the best closers in baseball this campaign. This would have been the type of impact addition that many are expecting Chicago to make before the deadline. However, with the former All-Star off the board, there aren’t many closers left that can help the Cubs. With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Chicago looks to get more in the starting pitcher market to improve the team in that area, rather than the bullpen. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Cubs Refusing To Include Top Prospect In Talks Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline Long-Rumored Cubs Bullpen Trade Target Gets Shipped To Tigers Cubs Among Teams Still Attempting To Acquire Nationals Pitcher Cubs Reveal Special Ryne Sandberg Tribute Jerseys To Be Worn Saturday

Green Bay Packers: 'Most Productive' Practice Yet Is Good Sign for Oft-Injured Tight End Luke Musgrave Entering Year 3
NFL

Green Bay Packers: 'Most Productive' Practice Yet Is Good Sign for Oft-Injured Tight End Luke Musgrave Entering Year 3

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave had a rough go last season, his second in the NFL after being drafted 42nd overall in 2023. In addition to being hampered by health issues, long before season’s end he had been clearly superseded by fellow sophomore Tucker Kraft. That’s not going to change in 2025, but Musgrave looks to be off on the right foot in training camp as he hopes for his first season at near full health. Musgrave shows strong hands, route-running in practice No. 7 of Green Bay Packers camp Musgrave managed to play 11 games as a rookie and commanded a superior target share over Kraft, averaging more than four per contest to the latter’s 2.4. He finished the season with 34 catches for 352 yards and was named a breakout candidate ahead of year two. Injuries did not let that happen. Barely involved in the passing game, per Pro Football Focus he took only 74 offensive snaps and accumulated 45 receiving yards. Kraft, meanwhile, taken 78th that same draft, emerged as a go-to target for quarterback Jordan Love. On run plays, the offense turned to him exclusively for blocking duties. Kraft has also enjoyed a massive availability advantage. Through two seasons, he has appeared in every game. Musgrave may be a clearcut secondary option, but he can still do a lot more for this offense. Team reporter and Packers.com editor Mike Spofford liked what he saw from him in Thursday’s practice, the seventh of training camp leading up to Family Night on August 2. “I thought today we saw the most productive practice from Luke Musgrave that he’s had so far in camp. Third-year tight end, lot of talent, really athletic. Has unfortunately dealt with a lot of injuries his first two seasons. But today he made a couple of catches on downfield throws from Jordan Love. The first one was an amazing throw that was fit in right by the boundary between Carrington Valentine, Xavier McKinney. Musgrave makes a nice catch there. He makes a sliding catch on another one, a back-foot throw. … And almost hauls in a desperation throw by Love to the end zone at the end of two-minute [drill].” Spofford said Musgrave also connected with backup Malik Willis while drilling with the second unit during team periods. He did note that, despite a strong showing, Musgrave did not check all the boxes. Particularly if he’s limited to passing situations, as he was last year, he’ll have to shore up his protection skills. “Not a perfect practice for him,” Spofford said. “I saw one rep where he got matched up unfortunately against Rashan Gary in pass protection. Love had to scramble out of the pocket. So not a perfect day, but Luke Musgrave was a force on that field.”

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!