Red Sox need to address lineup issue after Rafael Devers departure

The Boston Red Sox made one of the most surprising trades in Major League Baseball this week, dealing All-Star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a blockbuster deal. 

There had been issues between Devers and the Red Sox since the offseason when Alex Bregman won the starting third baseman role. With tensions rising between the two sides, Boston finally traded Devers. Despite calling up top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony, the Red Sox still have a hole in their offense with Devers' departure. 

After trading away Devers, what the Red Sox need the most before the trade deadline is a big-bat run producer, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. 

"As you might have heard, the Red Sox traded star slugger Rafael Devers to the Giants in a stunning trade on Father’s Day, leaving Boston’s lineup with an obvious production void," Browne wrote. "Boston will scour the market for all available big bats. The best fit for the team would be a hitter who can play first base or DH."

"But chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is known to think outside the box, and that could happen in this case if a bat is available at a position other than catcher or first base. It’s hard to imagine the Sox will find one hitter to replace Devers, so Breslow could go after a pair of bats."

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Devers has been one of the biggest producers for Boston this season, slashing .272.401/.905 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. That's a big void in the Red Sox's offense that they need to fill, and a couple of options the team could target before the deadline include players like Ryan O'Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. 

More MLB: Red Sox could target Cubs star right fielder in free agency after Rafael Devers trade