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Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow Reveals Impact of Rafael Devers Deal on Trade Talks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 2:00 PM ET

With the Boston Red Sox shipping off Rafael Devers, the team shifted around the entire lineup. While it's just one player, Dever's impact on the team was enormous. Now in San Francisco, Devers can't make a difference for the Red Sox.

But, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, in a piece from Rob Bradford on Audacy.com, revealed the impact of the Devers trade. Breslow talked about the deal, and specifically how it's affected other trade conversations.

"I don't think so because I think there were a lot of teams that recognized that was a pretty clunky roster," Breslow said. Regardless of who you could have or would have traded. That's a lot of players for only eight positions. Moving Raffy is a big bat in the middle of the lineup, but it also added some flexibility."

Breslow makes the point that the Devers trade hasn't led to more trade talks with teams. Their crowded, "clunky" roster forces the Red Sox's hand, and moving Devers created more flexibility.

While the offense needs more help, the Red Sox aren't looking to resolve the gaps that he left behind. Devers getting traded helped the Red Sox manage the roster better, as it helped create space on a crowded roster.

These comments from Breslow are worth monitoring, especially since it's an indication that he's looking to shake up the roster. Trading Devers helped clear up the designated hitter spot and also opened a roster spot for more depth.

With a "clunky" roster, the Red Sox need more flexibility. Another move, like trading one of the outfielders, could be on the horizon. That'd allow the team to plug a different hole, while also creating further flexibility, something that Breslow has mentioned in the wake of the Devers trade.

With the needs on the roster, Breslow's comments indicate that more changes could be on the way. The team is looking to buy at the deadline, and based on the Devers deal, they aren't afraid of trading a quality starter to resolve issues elsewhere.

Breslow and the Red Sox, based on his comments, are planning to capitalize on the flexibility they got once they traded Devers. With that newfound flexibility, the Red Sox have more paths to take in the trade market, even if talks haven't been ongoing yet.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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