The San Francisco Giants have secured All-Star designated hitter and infielder Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox, as confirmed by CBS Sports. The deal sends Boston a package including right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, outfield and infield prospect James Tibbs, and minor-league righty Jose Bello, according to reports from the Boston Globe.
Devers’ Performance and Contract Details Highlight the Trade
At 28 years old, Devers is currently hitting .272 with an on-base percentage of .401 and a slugging percentage of .504, having tallied 15 home runs in 73 games this season. He is in the second year of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension that notably lacks a no-trade clause. Because he has not yet reached 10-and-5 rights—a player’s tenure of ten years in MLB and five with the same team—Devers had no leverage to block this trade.
Throughout parts of nine major league seasons, Devers has compiled an OPS+ of 128, driven by 214 home runs and a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 24.8. He is a three-time All-Star and earned a Silver Slugger award in 2021, confirming his status as a highly productive hitter.
Defensive Role Dispute Preceded Trade Decision
A key factor behind this unexpected transaction involves Devers’ defensive role with the Red Sox this season. Following Boston’s offseason signing of free agent Alex Bregman, Devers resisted moving from his longtime position at third base. He had played exclusively at third base until this year and initially refused to transition to a full-time designated hitter role.
However, after ultimately agreeing to become Boston’s primary DH, the situation evolved further amid an injury crisis. When first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in early May, speculation arose around reassigning Devers to first base. While manager Alex Cora downplayed the idea, Devers revealed that club chief baseball officer Craig Breslow did approach him about resuming a defensive position.
Devers Voices Frustration Over Position Changes
Through an interpreter, Devers expressed his feelings about this internal conflict, saying,
“I’m not certain what (issue) he has with me,”
referring to Breslow. He also stated,
“He played ball, and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy. I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In (spring) training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove, that I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH. Right now, I just feel like it’s not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position.”
—Rafael Devers
Implications for Giants and Red Sox as Season Progresses
After remaining at DH, Devers found his stride and has delivered one of the best seasons in his career to date. The Giants, currently second in the National League West, will now benefit from his offensive prowess as they compete against division rivals including the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox appear poised for a roster rebuild, despite recently sweeping their rivals, the New York Yankees. Boston holds a 37-36 record, placing them fourth in the highly competitive American League East standings.