The San Francisco Giants shocked the baseball world Sunday night by acquiring $313 million star Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox.
The biggest winner is Devers, who now gets a fresh start with the Giants and can slot into the lineup at third base. Although, the Red Sox’s biggest rival may now be second in line for the biggest breadwinners.
As the trade deadline nears, the New York Yankees have been searching for an answer in their infield. That long-term solution could be Giants third baseman Matt Chapman.
Chapman is currently on the injured list but is slowly working his way back and could start a rehab assignment as early as a week.
The Giants’ $151 million third baseman will have to watch his potential replacement at least until he starts his rehab assignment. Prior to his injury, he was hitting .242 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI.
Normally, the Giants would have any and all leverage as the 32-year-old infielder has five 1/2 years of team control left. However, that flipped when the Giants brought in Devers. Now, San Francisco will have to take the best offer they can get for Chapman, who won’t be happy playing second fiddle. That is, if Devers does not remain in the designated hitter role.
The former Athletics third baseman would be a dream come true for the Bronx Bombers. He’s won five Gold Gloves in his career, including two Platinum Gloves, and he’s also been a recipient of the Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Chapman is also a career .241 hitter with a career OPS+ of 119 to this point, showing he has an above-average bat. New York has struggled to find a player who can be the best of both worlds for them, and Brian Cashman may have just hit the jackpot.
