Red Sox Trade Rafael Devers to Giants in Surprise Move

In a stunning transaction, the Boston Red Sox have traded three-time All-Star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. The deal was announced on Sunday by the Major League Baseball (MLB) team.

The high-profile trade sees right-hander Jordan Hicks and left-hander Kyle Harrison heading to Boston. Furthermore, the Red Sox will receive Jose Bello and James Tibbs III as part of the exchange.

Devers, aged 28, has recorded 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 73 games this season, maintaining a .272 batting average.

Tensions arose between Devers and team management. He initially declined a shift to designated hitter after the Red Sox acquired Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman during the offseason. Later, he refused to play first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury on May 2.

Devers, who first played for the Red Sox in 2017, inked a 10-year extension worth $313.5 million in January 2023. The Giants are expected to honor the remainder of his contract, which extends through 2033.

The two-time Silver Slugger spent nine seasons with the Red Sox, amassing a .279/.349/.510 batting line with 215 home runs and 696 RBIs across 1,053 games.

Devers will soon face his former team as the Red Sox are scheduled to visit the Giants, a National League West contender, for a three-game series commencing on Friday. He joins the ranks of Matt Chapman and Willy Adames.

Giants manager Bob Melvin described the trade as a critical acquisition.

Manager’s quote

“This is a significant need for us. Acquiring a player like Devers – a powerful left-handed batter capable of hitting to all fields – is an ideal fit for our team.”