Sox add depth, get Nunez from Giants

SEATTLE — Rafael Devers was in the middle of his big league debut last night when the Red Sox acquired even more infield depth.

According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox were finalizing a late-night trade for Giants utility man Eduardo Nunez, a versatile and speedy player who can provide depth all over the infield and at the outfield corners.

There was no immediate word on who the Red Sox were giving up in the deal.

Nunez, 30, began his career as an understudy to Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano in New York, but he emerged as an all-star and trade chip last season in Minnesota.

He was playing for San Francisco this year — it’s the second trade deadline in a row in which he’s been moved — hitting .307 with 17 stolen bases, 20 doubles and four home runs.

While he’s not the sort of home run hitter the Red Sox lack, Nunez does have more doubles than any of his new teammates except Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts. He would be tied with Betts for the team lead in steals.

His role, however, is uncertain.

The Red Sox called up 20-year-old Devers on Monday and he made his big league debut last night. It seems unlikely that the team would promote such a highly touted prospect only to put him on the bench or send him immediately back to the minor leagues.

At the very least, Nunez represents an offensive upgrade over Deven Marrero and Brock Holt as the team’s primary backup infielder. Manager John Farrell has acknowledged a need to give Dustin Pedroia occasional days off because of nagging knee soreness, and Bogaerts has missed time for a variety of minor injuries and illnesses this season.

Nunez is not, however, a true middle-of-the-order bat to significantly impact the offensive production on a day-to-day basis. In fact, his addition came as something of a surprise following the promotion of Devers to plug a previously glaring hole at third base.

With five days to go before baseball’s trade deadline, there’s still time for Dave Dombrowski to make further adjustments to the roster. There are more traditional power hitters still available, and there are plenty of available relievers who could add depth and impact to the bullpen.

Farrell hinted before last night’s game that a move or multiple moves could be in the works.

“The only thing I can say to that is I know every effort is being made to find a fit,” he said. “Where that leads us remains to be seen in these final days up to the deadline.”