Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow acknowledged on the conference call that the deal leaves a hole in the lineup, but he hoped it would pay off this season. Although there is a newly created need for a power hitter, the team now has roster and payroll flexibility to add players at the trade deadline, he said.

The Sunday shockwaves were natural for the Red Sox as they watched star slugger Rafael Devers get pulled off the team flight before takeoff after being traded to the Giants. What was more important to manager Alex Cora was the Monday reaction.