After sweeping the Yankees at Fenway Park this weekend, the Red Sox made a drastic change.
Rafael Devers has been dealt to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, James Tibbs and Jose Belo according to multiple reports. The stunning and out-of-nowhere trade shifts the landscape of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry as the 28-year-old hit .270 with 31 homers and 78 RBI in 119 games against the Bombers.
This marks the conclusion of a recent run of controversy between Devers and the Red Sox that began in spring training. After signing Alex Bregman to a three-year contract, the Red Sox opted to move Devers from third base to DH, against his wishes, as he publicly stated he wanted to play third.
Then, general manager Craig Breslow asked Devers to play first base after Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury. A request Devers publicly denied.
“I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there,” Devers said last month. “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, so right now, I just feel like it’s not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position. …
“I’m not certain what [Breslow] has with me. He played ball [Breslow pitched in the majors for 12 seasons], and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy.”
Devers was in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension, and the Giants will assume all of the remaining money.
The newest San Francisco Giant homered in Sunday’s contest against the Yankees, bringing his season numbers to .272/.401/.504 with 15 homers and 58 RBI. The Sox are set to face off against the Giants this coming weekend as they will get their first look at Devers in a new uniform very soon after the trade.
