Red Sox linked to 2 Mets hitters after Devers says no to first base
Context:
The Boston Red Sox face a challenge at first base due to an injury to Triston Casas and Rafael Devers' refusal to change positions after being shifted to designated hitter. Devers, frustrated by losing his third base spot to Alex Bergman, has declined a move to first base, prompting the Red Sox to consider a trade. Analyst Tim Boyle suggests the New York Mets as potential trade partners, mentioning that Mets' players Joey Meneses and Jon Singleton, both on minor-league deals, could be targets. The Red Sox might pursue a deal involving minimal returns such as low-level prospects or cash considerations. Acquiring Meneses or Singleton would be a low-risk option for the Red Sox, while allowing the Mets to gain an asset for their minor-league signees.
Dive Deeper:
Rafael Devers' position change refusal comes after Alex Bergman took over at third base, relegating Devers to a designated hitter role, leading to his frustration and decision to not move to first base.
The Red Sox's need for a first baseman is heightened by Triston Casas' injury, creating urgency for the team to fill the position effectively and consider trade options.
Tim Boyle suggests that a trade with the New York Mets could resolve the Red Sox's first base dilemma, as the Mets have depth at first base with players like Joey Meneses and Jon Singleton available.
Both Meneses and Singleton are on minor-league contracts with the Mets, and their acquisition by the Red Sox would likely involve minimal returns such as a low-level prospect or cash considerations.
Joey Meneses, with a recent batting average of .231 and 3 home runs, and Jon Singleton, with a .234 average and 13 home runs, offer low-risk potential solutions for the Red Sox's first base issue.
The Red Sox could potentially wait for opt-out clauses in Meneses' and Singleton's contracts before making a move, as these typically occur at the end or beginning of a month.
Acquiring either Meneses or Singleton would not only fill the first base gap for the Red Sox but also provide the Mets an opportunity to gain some return on their minor-league investments.
The Boston Red Sox have a hole at first base following the injury to Triston Casas and Rafael Devers saying no to a position change.
Devers was frustrated after Alex Bergman took over at third base for him, pushing him to DH. He has now said no to moving to first base, which could force the Red Sox to make a trade.
Major League Baseball analyst Tim Boyle of RisingApple on FanSided believes the New York Mets are a good trade partner for the Red Sox.
“A trade with the Mets might be able to end the dilemma… David Stearns wasn’t going to get caught with a lack of depth at first base,” Boyle wrote. “In the winter, he brought in Joey Meneses on a minor league deal. More recently, he inked Jon Singleton to a minor league deal as well…
“Neither big league veteran is going to net the Mets anything of significance in a trade. The Red Sox could wait until an opt-out in their contract appears,” Boyle added. “Typically, those happen around the end or beginning of a new month. There’s a long way to go in May, and if they’re serious about trying something, cutting a deal with the Mets that’ll probably involve the lowest level of prospect or some cash considerations is the best we could hope for.”
With Meneses and Singleton on minor-league deals, Boston could look to acquire either one for a minimal return.
Meneses has appeared in 286 games and spent the last three years with the Washington Nationals. In 2024, he hit .231 with 3 home runs and 42 RBIs.
Singleton, meanwhile, has primarily played for the Houston Astros and is more of a platoon player. In 2024, he hit .234 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs.
Regardless, it would be a low-risk move for the Red Sox to take a flier on either of them, while New York could get an asset back for someone they signed to a minor-league deal.
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