Rafael Devers Survives Boston’s Busy Winter

BOSTON—The Red Sox recognized that they would have to surrender elite prospects if they wanted to acquire Chris Sale—and they were prepared to part with a prospect haul. In early talks with the Whtie Sox, they came to a shared understanding: second baseman Yoan Moncada and righthander Michael Kopech had to be part of a deal.

But as the teams discussed the rest of the package, the Red Sox were prepared to walk away over another top prospect.

Boston would not trade Rafael Devers, even if it meant walking away from Sale. The stance reflected in no small part the 20-year-old third baseman’s progress.

When Devers signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, few in the industry doubted that he had impact offensive potential. But questions loomed about whether he could stick at the hot corner, or if his wide frame would force him across the diamond to first.

“He’s always been a strong, stocky kid, but his feet always moved lighter than they would appear,” assistant general manager Eddie Romero said. “He had good fundamentals in terms of squaring up to the ball . . . and he had good hands. He’s always had an above-average arm.

“So I thought those attributes, if he was able to stay physically strong without losing that flexibility . . . (that he would be able) to go side to side.”

Devers made defensive strides in 2016, to the point where some thought that he represented the better long-term bet to play third base than Moncada, who was blocked at second by Dustin Pedroia. Devers did that against the backdrop of a season in which the lefthanded batter overcame early-season struggles to hit .282/.335/.443 with 11 homers and 18 steals at high Class A Salem.

“The ball is just electric when it comes off his bat,” said Salem teammate Jamie Callahan, a righthander. “(He plays) phenomenal defense. He’s got a great bat, and he’s only going to get better.”

The Red Sox like Devers so much that they made him the first 20-year-old in big league camp since Xander Bogaerts in 2013.

SOX YARNS

• Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo retooled his swing in an effort to earn his way back on to the 40-man roster. He signed a $72.5 million deal in 2014 and has four years remaining.

• Blake Swihart, the 24-year-old catcher, appears destined for Triple-A Pawtucket because his competitors Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez are out of minor league options.

— Alex Speier covers the Red Sox for the Boston Globe