Tigers should attempt offseason blockbuster Red Sox trade as Alex Bregman revenge

A silver lining to the Tigers losing out on Alex Bregman to the Red Sox this offseason was being able to witness the ridiculous drama it immediately stirred up in Boston. The organization found themselves at odds with Rafael Devers, the face of their franchise, over a promise made by Chaim Bloom's front office. After he signed his extension, he was told he would be the Red Sox third baseman despite his oftentimes league-worst defensive numbers.

But, as manager Alex Cora pointed out, Bloom isn't the general manager anymore, and Bregman has long been one of the best defensive third basemen in the league. Devers initially refused to move off of third but capitulated eventually and switched to full-time DH'ing.

After a 0-for-21 stretch at the plate to start his season, Devers has settled in and is back to putting up huge offensive numbers, but Triston Casas getting hurt has threatened to spoil everything.

Devers is a clear first base option for the Red Sox, but Devers has been adamant (again) about not moving. He said the front office told him to put his glove away and he recommended they concern themselves with finding another first baseman on the market. It's gotten so ugly that owner John Henry even flew out to Kansas City last week to have a discussion with him and, naturally, it's stirred up trade rumors.

It's unlikely that the Red Sox trade Devers this season, but things could be different in November, as per MLB insider Bob Nightengale. If Devers and his team stay at odds and Bregman doesn't exercise his option to leave, Devers could be on the trade block.

Should Tigers explore a trade with Red Sox for Rafael Devers amidst first base drama?

The Tigers have a plausible everyday third baseman in Jace Jung, who earned his return to the majors in April after starting the season in Triple-A, but he's batting .100 with a .334 OPS in his first 16 games. The Tigers' bats have reached a new level of production that has suggested maybe they never actually needed Bregman. However, if you don't consider the money involved, a guy like Devers who can be counted on to give a club 25-35 homers in a single season would be hard to say no to.

But the Tigers would have to consider the money involved, and that's where things start getting hairy. Devers is still owed $253.5 million from now through 2033, a contract that's probably going to look pretty ugly in the its last few years. The Red Sox would undoubtedly have to eat a good amount of money if they traded him, but the Tigers could only consider it based on how much Boston was willing to maintain responsibility for.

Devers still isn't a great fielder and may never be, but maybe the Tigers could take a page out of the Dodgers' book and put offense before defense in this scenario. Devers, who's still just 28, could make the Tigers' window of contention even more promising.