Chicago Cubs: Rafael Devers drama is not a Cubs real-life option

The Chicago Cubs need a third baseman. The Red Sox have an extra third baseman who is extremely– and vocally– unhappy about being moved from third.

So, why not make a deal?

Welcome to the off-putting and almost obscenely “off” alternate universe of Rafael Devers-to-the-Cubs trade proposals.

On the surface, yeah, it kinda, sorta makes sense. Why wouldn’t the postseason-hopeful Cubs want a 28-year-old three-time all-star third baseman when their current hot corner options are utility infielders and wish-upon-a-star Matt Shaw? And why wouldn’t the Red Sox be willing to trade away a wildly discontent star whose clubhouse angst threatens to override his on-field worth?

But what seems logical on paper (or phone/computer screens) doesn’t always make real world sense.

Rafael Devers To The Chicago Cubs?

The Red Sox would want a hefty haul of prospects and majors-ready assets for a guy like Devers. The Cubs, meanwhile, would have to give away a good chunk of their future for a clearly temperamental player still owed about $270 million on an 11-year, $331 million contract extension signed with the Red Sox in 2021.

The idea of taking on such a large contract, extended through 2033, would send Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and the Ricketts family ownership into fits of violent convulsions.

The Fantasy World Of Rafael Devers Trade Proposals

Some of the trade proposals currently tossed about by media reflect the ridiculous nature of any Devers-to-Cubs possibilities.

In one, the Cubs get Devers, along with LHP Sean Newcomb, in exchange for 3B Matt Shaw (Chicago’s no. 1 prospect), C/1B Moisés Ballesteros (their no. 4 prospect), RHP Nazier Mulé (their no. 26 prospect) and INF Jon Berti.

In another, Devers, alone, comes to Chicago for Matt Shaw, OF Kevin Alcántara (Chicago’s no. 6 prospect), RHP Jack Neely (their no. 16 prospect) and Berti.

Even if one were to put aside money, contract length, and Devers’ temperament, fitting the veteran into the Cubs scheme would be a tough fit since, defensively, Devers has always been a bottom-tier third baseman, with a career -62 score in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) metrics. There IS a reason Boston jumped at the chance to sign Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman, while asking Devers to play DH and then first base.

(Also, these deals don’t make a whole lot of sense when it comes to Boston’s needs, either.)

It Makes No Sense

By the way, Boston deciding to move Devers off third to DH and now first base is the reason the bat-first slugger has been so loudly disgruntled.

“In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove — that I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH,” Devers recently told MassLive.com through his interpreter. “So right now I just feel like it’s not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position.

“They told me that they didn’t want to allow me to play any other position. And now I think they should do their job essentially and hit the market and look for another player (to play first base)…They already asked me to change once and this time I don’t think I can be as flexible.

“I don’t think they stay true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH. And now they are going back on that. So yeah, I don’t think they stay true to their word.”

Do the Cubs want this kind of drama in their clubhouse, even if 30 home runs come attached to it? Do they want this kind of drama when they eventually have to do what the Red Sox did and move Devers from third base for a better defensive replacement? Do they want to take on his kind of contract with pressure mounting to extend right fielder Kyle Tucker? And do they want to give away at least two of their top 6 prospects for the privilege of diving deep into the Devers drama?

The answer to all those questions is a resounding “No.”

Why is this even on the outer fringes of consideration?

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