Imagine this: Just after your favorite team sweeps their historic rivals, the Yankees, in a thrilling series, they follow it up by trading away the face of the franchise. And not just any player, someone who had signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension with the team. Devastating, right? That’s exactly what happened to Red Sox fans when Rafael Devers was sent to the Giants last Sunday. Naturally, the decision sent shockwaves through the fan base. The void Devers leaves behind isn’t easy to fill, but if the Red Sox play their cards right, they might still have a shot at keeping their fans on board.

Devers was a star hitter, a three-time All-Star who had dedicated his entire career to Boston. The situation felt eerily similar to the Mookie Betts trade. But as the position drama dragged on for over a month, with Devers reportedly refusing to move to first base, it ultimately pushed the team toward making the decision. What’s done is done, but now, they should use the extra money they have left and do something with it. The best option the team has may be in the form of their third baseman, Alex Bregman, and rookie Roman Anthony.

Jon Heyman, while in conversation with MLB Network, shared how the Red Sox can bolster their roster. “I think they’re a playoff team, but still, I think they’re going to be looking for a hitter, maybe a pitcher as well,” he said. Yes, as the trade deadline nears, they will definitely look for options. “They have hit fairly well, but they had Devers on the team, so still work to be done this year. But to me, got to sign Bregman, got to sign Roman Anthony,” he added. He is right; locking up these two should be the main priority for them.

The Red Sox did get four players from the Giants in return for Rafael Devers. But let’s be honest, none of them are on the same level as Devers. So, it is obvious they have work to do, and it should start with Bregman and Anthony. They should try to sign Bregman. His three-year, $120 million contract, signed in February, includes opt-out options after this season. And considering the huge demand he has, there are chances he chooses free agency. The Detroit Tigers even offered him $171.5 million, an offer he turned down in February, but he clearly knows his worth. He is slashing .299/.385/.553/.938 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs from the 51 games he played this season. And what about Roman Anthony?

Anthony is the number one top prospect in baseball. He stands out as the crown jewel of Boston’s farm system. His record-breaking performance down at Worcester caused a huge uproar from fans, which made the team call him up. While he hasn’t quite replicated the level of his 470-foot grand slam from the minors, he did notch his first Major League home run against the Mariners on Monday. With 10 home runs in 58 games this season, his minor league stat sheet is nothing less than terrific. And the Red Sox would be foolish not to lock him down; they can’t afford to lose what could be their next face of the franchise.

Still, without Rafael Devers, they are a step back. So, looking at that trade deadline, they have to be aggressive and try to do something. And Cubs‘ star hitter Kyle Tucker may be their answer.

After letting go of Rafael Devers, Red Sox has their eyes set on Kyle Tucker

Tucker is, without argument, currently one of the most consistent hitters in MLB. Last offseason, the Cubs were able to sign him to a one-year, $16.5 million deal. And since then, he has been a game-changer for them. His addition to the team has provided them with options in their lineup. The right fielder is slashing .284/.395/.513/.908 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs so far this season. And he is going to become a free agent after the season. The Cubs would try anything to re-sign him, but the Red Sox could jump right in and snatch him.

Jon Heyman thinks that the Red Sox and the Giants would be top competitors for Tucker. “Once the guy’s a free agent—he’s only been there a year—there are going to be other teams in there. Have to count the San Francisco Giants at this point. They look like an aggressive team, as we’ve seen. And the Red Sox. Now, the Red Sox have a lot of outfielders, but we’ve heard of Duran potentially on the market. There would be a possibility as well, because they do need to do something to make up for Devers,” Heyman said on MLB Network.

Both teams have their own needs. The Red Sox may look to fill the void left behind by Rafael Devers. But for the Giants, who just signed Devers, they need to strengthen their roster more. Craig Breslow and the team will be scratching their brains looking for options, as the trade deadline is just six weeks away. There’s no chance they would overlook the main highlight of this offseason’s free agency. Tucker was even predicted to be worth a towering $600 million deal earlier, so the Red Sox should expect a lot more competitors than just the Giants.