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Red Sox Urged to Trade With AL Rival For Projected All-Star Amid Rafael Devers Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox traded away Rafael Devers, in part because he refused to play first base for the team. Meanwhile, Abraham Toro took over and has been solid for Boston. But, they still need to find a better first baseman if they want to compete in 2025.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com urged the Red Sox to add a first baseman. Of the few names he mentioned one of the names he mentioned is from a division rival in the Baltimore Orioles. Feinsand called for the Red Sox to add Ryan O'Hearn in the aftermath of the Rafael Devers trade.

"[O'Hearn is] possibly the best bat that could be moved this summer (now that Devers has been traded, anyway)," Feinsand writes. "... The Orioles aren't ready to declare themselves sellers just yet, but if Baltimore opts to sell, O'Hearn is one of a number of impending free agents that could be on the move."

O'Hearn previously thanked Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow for trading Devers to the National League, as it thrust O'Hearn into the lead for the AL designated hitter All-Star spot. He's already friendly with the front office, so there's more reason to trade for him.

But, aside from O'Hearn's gratefulness to Breslow for the deal, he'd also be a good fit in Boston. O'Hearn has a .301 batting average in 216 at-bats. He's totaled 65 hits, 29 runs, nine doubles, 10 home runs, 28 RBIs, 25 walks, 41 strikeouts, and three stolen bases in 216 at-bats.

For the Orioles, O'Hearn has played evenly between the outfield, first base, and designated hitter. While he's been a designated hitter most of the time, he's played 22 games at first base in 2025.

He'd be a flexible option for the Red Sox, who could play first, in the outfield, or slot in at designated hitter. His versatility, combined with his offensive prowess, makes O'Hearn one of the top trade targets at the trade deadline.

After the Devers deal, O'Hearn could replace Devers on the Red Sox as the AL's top designated hitter. Feinsand's urging for the Red Sox to add a first baseman makes sense, and O'Hearn would be a great option for the Red Sox to consider.

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

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