The Boston Red Sox got rid of Rafael Devers’ 10-year, $313 million deal in the trade that sent him to the San Francisco Giants, and could use the money they saved to be aggressive in free agency.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that the Red Sox could be in the market for Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs when he hits the open market after this season. Tucker is projected to earn a 12-year, $525 million deal in free agency.
Boston.com’s Conor Ryan suggested that adding Tucker would then allow the Red Sox to cut ties with some of their current outfielders to address other needs.
“Tucker would be a franchise fixture in the heart of Boston’s lineup for the next seven-plus years, while also giving the Red Sox the flexibilit to trade an outfielder or two to address needs elsewhere,” wrote Ryan.
The Red Sox outfield already has too many mouths to feed. Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela are all capable of being everyday players.
Anthony is not a candidate to be traded, being the top prospect in baseball. Rafaela is signed to a long-term extension. That leaves Duran and Abreu, who both have strong trade value. Abreu was a Gold Glove Award winner as a rookie and Duran was an All-Star last season, leading all of baseball in doubles and triples.
Adding Tucker, and trading Duran and Abreu, would give the Red Sox an outfield of Tucker, Anthony and