What’s Next? 3 Moves Red Sox Could Make After Rafael Devers Trade

The Boston Red Sox shook up their team on Sunday night when they traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a stunning blockbuster move. Coming back to Boston are pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, as well as prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello.

As part of this deal, the Giants are taking on the remainder of Devers’ 10-year, $313.5 million contract that kicked in just last season. As a result, the Red Sox have the financial flexibility to begin rebuilding their roster immediately.

That starts on the trade market, where Boston is looking to be a buyer now that they have pushed their record back above .500 with their sweep of the New York Yankees. So with the dust settling on the Devers trade, let’s check out three players the Red Sox could target now that this deal is in the books.

Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

One of the main points of contention between the Sox front office and Devers was his refusal to help the team at first base after Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon that ended his season. Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro have held down the fort at first base in the meantime, but a more consistent option would be a welcome sight.

Enter Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who was getting linked to Boston even before Devers was dealt. Hoskins, who is in the final year of his contract, is hitting .245 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs for the Brewers so far this season.

Milwaukee is in the playoff hunt for now, but the team is reportedly considering moving on from Hoskins if they end up falling out of the race. That could lead the Red Sox to not only trade for him, but also potentially extend him to fill Devers’ void at designated hitter moving forward.

Aaron Civale, SP, Chicago White Sox

Boston did add some pitching in Hicks and Harrison from the Giants as part of their Devers deal, but Hicks is on the injured list, and Harrison was assigned to Triple-A. As a result, the pitching staff still needs help, which is where New England native Aaron Civale comes into play.

Civale was just traded from the Brewers to the Chicago White Sox after he requested a trade when the team asked him to move to the bullpen. While it may seem unlikely he gets dealt again, reports indicate the White Sox are looking to flip him again before the trade deadline.

Prior to being sent to Chicago, Civale (who is from Connecticut) made it clear he would like to pitch for the Red Sox before he retires. His numbers this year aren’t great (1-3, 4.67 ERA, 23 K, 1.48 WHIP) but he’s a veteran innings-eater with a track record of success, and he’d be well worth a flier for Boston.

Mason Miller, RP, Athletics

With Devers gone, the Red Sox need some more star power. Enter Mason Miller, who is one of the most electrifying pitchers in the majors. Boston could certainly use some more help at the backend of their bullpen, and Miller could end up being the most coveted reliever on the trade market.

Miller hasn’t been as effective for the Athletics as he was during his breakout 2024 campaign, as he has an ugly 5.33 ERA in his 25 games of action. He still has 14 saves and 43 strikeouts, though, so if he can reign in his control a bit, he could reach the heights he hit last season.

Aroldis Chapman has done a great job at closer this season for Boston, so that could allow Miller to fill more of a setup role for this team. And at 26 years old, he’d be a prime extension candidate for the Red Sox now that they have quite a bit of money at their disposal with Devers’ deal off their books.