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By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Boston Red Sox have come to a surprising conclusion with one of their most talented and highest-paid players, and the ripple effects will be watched closely.
After months of off-field drama surrounding franchise slugger Rafael Devers and what defensive position he would play, the team agreed on a trade to send him to the San Francisco Giants. And, just as that drama started with the acquisition of star third baseman Alex Bregman, this trade's timing is leading to questions around Bregman as well.
"This had to happen now? It could not wait until the offseason?" baseball insider Ken Rosenthal asked for The Athletic. "They could have then shopped Devers to the entire industry this winter while also using him as a hedge against the possible departure of third baseman Alex Bregman, who is an opt-out waiting to happen."
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Bregman joined the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million contract with an opt-out after this season and a player option after the next. Though he's currently sidelined with an injury, he had been performing well above that price tag this season and could earn a long-term deal by opting out this winter.
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Now, by potentially punting on a revival toward playoff contention, the Red Sox will be left to allocate the roughly $250 million Devers is still owed toward future additions. But even after essentially choosing Bregman over Devers, the Red Sox can depend on their remaining third baseman to now opt out of his deal.
"Oh, but Bregman will be back soon, you say? Yep, and the Sox can bank on him opting out at the end of the season," Rosenthal added. "No problem, just give Bregman the money the Sox saved with Devers, right? That sound you hear is the cackling of Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, who, according to unconfirmed reports, was last seen rolling on the floor in hysterics."
Bregman has seemingly played himself into a bigger deal, though it seems unlikely he'd earn all of the salary that had been allocated toward Devers. Still, he might command a large chunk of it and, even after the team lost its franchise player, he's all but certain to seek a new deal for next year and beyond.
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