Report: Sale trade was stalled by prospect Red Sox wouldn't give up

The Boston Red Sox nearly missed out on Chris Sale because they wanted to keep one prospect in particular.

While the Chicago White Sox walked away with Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Basabe and Victor Diaz, another player was holding up the whole trade.

Rafael Devers, now the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox organization, was reportedly the piece the White Sox stopped asking for. When they did, it pushed the deal through, according to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.

So who's Devers, and why were the Red Sox unwilling to part with him? Also, why did the White Sox want him so badly?

Back in 2013, scouts considered the 20-year-old third baseman to be the best left-handed bat on the international market. Boston clearly felt the same way and signed him out of the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million.

To say he's lived up to the hype would be an understatement.

In his first year of pro ball in 2014, he showcased a flurry of talent, slashing .322/.404/.506 with five triples, 17 doubles, and seven home runs. It became clear that he's got a unique combination of power and speed.

It's also worth noting that in the Tyler Thornburg deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, Boston shipped out third baseman Travis Shaw. With Pablo Sandoval getting a shot at third base, Brock Holt involved in the matter, and Moncada out of the picture, the road has been cleared for Devers to make it to the bigs.

In 2015, Devers produced at an even more violent rate, clubbing 38 doubles and 11 homers in 115 games. This past season, he hit 32 doubles, 11 home runs, and eight triples while slashing .282/.335/.443 and even stealing 18 bases.

While Moncada, MLB's top prospect, and Kopech, a flame-throwing right-hander who's earned comparisons to Noah Syndergaard, are off the board, it's Devers who Boston couldn't get rid of.

Year over year, he's indicated that he's made for the majors, and he's the clear option at third base in Boston's future plans.