The Boston Red Sox have faced intense criticism after trading Rafael Devers, with the team’s performance worsening since the deal. The Red Sox are 3-6 in games following the trade, dropping five straight and falling 2.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot. This decline has sparked mounting scrutiny of chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s role in the trade controversy and the team’s subsequent collapse.
Former Colorado Rockies General Manager Dan O’Dowd openly criticized Breslow’s approach to managing players during a recent episode of Foul Territory, expressing frustration with how the Red Sox handled the situation with Devers.
Dan O’Dowd Questions Breslow’s Player Management Philosophy
O’Dowd argued that Breslow’s demeanor does not reflect the perspective of a former player but rather that of a general manager treating athletes as assets to be bought and sold. He stated,
“He does not act like [a former player] to me A.J [Pierzynski]. It’s perplexing to me. [Breslow] acts like a lot of current General Managers, which its players are part of a portfolio that they buy and sell.” —Dan O’Dowd, Former GM
This comment highlights O’Dowd’s belief that Breslow sees players principally as pieces in transactional dealings rather than individuals with whom to build trust and long-term relationships.
Missteps in Handling Rafael Devers Created Rift in the Red Sox Organization
O’Dowd criticized how Boston’s front office forced positional changes on Devers, which contributed to the star player’s distrust and resistance toward management. He acknowledged that while Devers may not have responded maturely, the front office failed to manage the situation thoughtfully.
“Raffy didn’t handle it maturely, but I don’t think the expectation was that you should have expected that he was going to handle that maturely,”
O’Dowd said.
“If they had flown to the [Dominican Republic], and they had looked him in the eyes and they have said, ‘Listen, you’re not a real good defender. We got a chance to sign [Alex] Bregman or trade for [Nolan] Arenado. We’re going to do that. So, let’s talk about what the transition is for you.”
—Dan O’Dowd, Former GM
According to O’Dowd, a face-to-face conversation acknowledging Devers’ defensive limitations and outlining a clear transition plan could have mitigated the fallout.
Alternative Strategy Suggested for Rafael Devers’ Position Change
O’Dowd believes the Red Sox should have immediately introduced Devers to first base as a way to preserve his value and extend his career prospects. He argued that playing a position, rather than remaining as a designated hitter, enhances a player’s long-term impact.
“I think they should have immediately put a first base glove on him, and I think Raffy should have recognized that his long-term value in the game or even getting into the Hall of Fame someday, it creates way more value if he’s playing a position [rather] than DH’ing.” —Dan O’Dowd, Former GM
This perspective suggests that early adaptation and communication around positional change are critical to protecting both the player’s and the team’s interests.
O’Dowd Critiques Red Sox’s Public Relations and Future Outlook
O’Dowd identified the statements made by Breslow and the Red Sox after the trade as a turning point that damaged the organization’s credibility. He expressed doubts about the team’s current competitiveness heading into the trade deadline.
“They screwed themselves with their comments after the Raffy Devers deal. I don’t think they’re a good team. I think the sum of their parts does not equal the bigger part. I think they should be sellers at the deadline,”
O’Dowd remarked.
“When you come out publicly and say, ‘Hey listen, we’re not taking a step back after the Devers deal.’ Your credibility with your fanbase begins to erode to the point that it may not be salvageable if you keep going back on the things that you promise.”
—Dan O’Dowd, Former GM
This critique underscores the widening gap between fan expectations and management messaging, further complicating the team‘s task of repairing trust.
Red Sox Aim to Recover in Upcoming Series Against Blue Jays
With a current record of 40-42, the Boston Red Sox face a critical weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Performance in these upcoming games will be key as the team tries to rebound from their recent slump and salvage their playoff hopes amid the Rafael Devers trade controversy.