The San Francisco Giants made a decisive move at the 2025 MLB trade deadline by acquiring Rafael Devers, signaling a clear shift in their team-building strategy under Buster Posey’s leadership. This trade, completed midseason, serves as a cornerstone for the Giants’ future, prioritizing long-term stability and talent development over short-term fixes.
Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations, emphasized the significance of this acquisition, which involved substantial financial commitment and roster changes. Posey explained the reasoning behind the bold decision:
“It’s just really hard to acquire this type of talent at this point of his career. We’re obviously taking on a lot of money. We’re giving up some pitching, we’re giving up our first-round pick last year, so it didn’t come without a cost. It felt like this was a chance to take a shot,”
—Buster Posey, Giants President of Baseball Operations.
Buster Posey’s Strategic Approach to Team Building
Since taking charge in the fall of 2024, Posey has pursued a deliberate and methodical approach markedly different from the past era under former GM Farhan Zaidi. While Zaidi’s style leaned toward frequent roster shuffling, Posey’s management focuses on fostering strong internal systems and empowering his department leads. He remarked on his philosophy of leadership within the organization:
“I have been clear that I want our department heads to be empowered to make decisions.”
—Buster Posey, Giants President of Baseball Operations.
This methodical change is evident in how the Giants are handling the 2025 MLB Draft. Holding the No. 13 pick for the third time in six years, the team is adopting a trust-based collaborative atmosphere rather than a rigid command-driven one. Director of amateur scouting Michael Holmes operates with considerable autonomy under Posey’s oversight, who remains engaged by rigorously evaluating every prospective choice.
Posey’s experience as a player during the Giants’ successful early 2010s era, alongside stars like Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Matt Cain, informs his balanced approach to building a championship roster. He stated the importance of the draft in shaping a team’s destiny:
“Probably the most obvious thing that could ever be said is that the importance of getting our draft picks right is monumental,”
and later added,
“Those picks could shape an organization. Look at the run we went on and see how many guys were drafted and developed. The draft is a big deal.”
—Buster Posey, Giants President of Baseball Operations.
Addressing the Bullpen: Precision Moves Highlight Posey’s Vision
Beyond the marquee acquisition of Devers, Posey has also executed subtle yet impactful moves to reshape the bullpen. The trade to bring in reliever Braxton Roxby exemplifies this careful strategy. Despite Taylor Rogers‘ impressive statistics, including a 2.40 ERA in 2023 and under 3.00 in 2024, the Giants chose to part ways with Rogers due to a lack of confidence in high-pressure moments.
Roxby, though not yet a household name, presents a promising, cost-effective alternative with his strikeout-heavy style. In Double-A this season, Roxby posted a stellar 1.20 ERA with 12 strikeouts per nine innings and did not allow any home runs over 30 innings. His unorthodox pitching delivery and evolving control grant him an edge in matchups, making him a valuable bullpen addition. According to the trade’s symbolic significance, the move represents a shift toward internal development and precise bullpen construction rather than relying solely on established veterans.
Building a Balanced, Sustainable Roster for the Future
Posey’s approach contrasts significantly with past patchwork trade attempts made each July. The emphasis has shifted to knowing when to execute major acquisitions, like securing Devers, and when to focus on nurturing the farm system. This balanced strategy looks to replicate the foundation that propelled the Giants to success a decade ago.
Every move this deadline speaks to a broader plan: the Giants are not merely aiming for immediate victories but are constructing a cohesive identity that blends experienced leadership with homegrown talent. Posey’s leadership appears to be steering the franchise to regain its competitive edge systematically and sustainably.
As the 2025 season progresses beyond the trade deadline, eyes will remain on the Giants to see how these strategic decisions will influence both their performance on the field and their standing in the MLB landscape. The organization’s focus on blending bold acquisitions with careful development could well determine the team’s trajectory for years to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Rafael Devers a good hitter?
A. Devers ranks as one of the top hitters among players with extensive game experience before reaching the age of 30.