Boston Red Sox fans were not happy that Rafael Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants, and it's hard to blame them. Devers is one of the best hitters in the game, the team just got over .500 and he was the face of the franchise. Based on what he had to say in his Giants introductory press conference, though, Red Sox fans might shift some of their anger in his direction from Craig Breslow's.
When asked about where he expects to play, Devers made it clear that he'd do whatever the Giants want him to do.
Devers on positions: “They’re the men in charge. I’m here to play wherever they want me to play.”
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 17, 2025
Manager Bob Melvin confirmed Devers' willingness to do whatever is best for the team, whether it's the position he plays or where he hits in the order.
Bob Melvin said Devers will DH and bat 3rd today for #SFGiants and envisions him hitting there in future
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) June 17, 2025
Devers will work on learning 1B
“We talked a little today and he said he will play wherever, hit wherever we want him to”
This is exactly what Giants fans want to hear from their new superstar, and is what Red Sox fans wish they had heard while Devers was in Boston. To be completely honest, if Devers was willing to say this at that point, he'd probably still be in Boston.
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Rafael Devers just made him a Red Sox villian with Giants comments
When the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in spring training, Devers made it clear that he's a third baseman and had no desire to be a DH. Eventually, he acquiesced to Boston's desire to have him be a regular DH, and after a brutal early-season slump, thrived in that role.
Soon after, though, Tristan Casas suffered a season-ending injury, creating a hole at first base. The Red Sox approached Devers hoping he'd be willing to play the position, but he quickly shut down that idea.
Devers' contract is massive, but there's reason to believe that at least part of the reason why Boston traded him was because of his refusal to be a team player on two separate occasions. Knowing that, and then watching Devers do whatever is asked of him for a franchise he has yet to play a game for has to sting for Red Sox fans.
Rafael Devers should've given the Red Sox the same grace he's giving the Giants
An argument can and should be made that the Red Sox could've handled the situation better. They should've been more communicative with Devers before signing Bregman and giving his third base spot away. With that being said, Devers also could've handled things better in Boston. He could've understood that the team was trying to do what they could to win, and as a player on a contract that pays him over $300 million, he could've been more flexible than he was.
I get why Devers was frustrated in Boston, but his willingness to do whatever the Giants, an organization he had no ties to just days ago, are telling him to is a slap in the face to Red Sox fans that loved and supported him for almost an entire decade.
Red Sox fans are ultimately the biggest losers of this whole ordeal. The Giants got a much-needed slugger, and the Red Sox got rid of a player they clearly wanted no part of, so they both can be viewed as winners. Red Sox fans had to watch the face of the franchise get traded out of nowhere, and then watch that same player they once loved show more of a willingness to do what they want than the organization he was previously a part of. Just a truly unfortunate turn of events that makes Devers more of a villain in Boston than he otherwise would've been.