Red Sox Considering Position Change for Rafael Devers and Potential Trade for Nolan Arenado

The Boston Red Sox are exploring the possibility of moving longtime third baseman Rafael Devers to first base, according to a report from MassLive's Sean McAdam. This internal discussion has sparked interest in acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado to fill the vacancy at the hot corner if Devers changes positions.

Internal Discussions and Potential Changes
The idea of shifting Devers to first base has been previously suggested by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and The New York Post's Jon Heyman. However, McAdam's report marks the first confirmation that the Red Sox are seriously considering this move. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has previously declined to comment on the matter, emphasizing that any decision would involve discussing it with Devers first. This could be a significant hurdle, as Devers' agent, Nelson Montes de Oca, recently stated that Devers has no intention of moving off third base.

Obstacles to the Position Change
Beyond Devers' resistance, there are other challenges to this potential shift. The Red Sox already have a talented first baseman in Triston Casas, who is under team control for four more seasons and has expressed interest in a long-term extension with Boston. Casas, who missed much of the 2024 season due to injury, has a career batting line of .250/.357/.473 since his debut in late 2022.

Speculation this winter suggested that the Red Sox might consider trading Casas to acquire starting pitching, but Breslow quickly dismissed those rumors. Therefore, moving Devers to first base would require the front office to either change their stance on trading Casas or designate him as a regular DH, potentially displacing Masataka Yoshida, who has three years and $55.6 million remaining on his contract.

Possible Trade for Nolan ArenadoIf the Red Sox proceed with moving Devers to first base, they view a trade for Nolan Arenado as a viable option to fill the void at third base. Arenado, known for his exceptional defensive skills and powerful bat, could be a significant addition to the Red Sox lineup, bringing both experience and talent to the hot corner.

​As the Red Sox continue to evaluate their options, fans and analysts will be closely monitoring these developments and their potential impact on the team's roster and performance in the upcoming season.