The San Francisco Giants are acquiring Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade that will send Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs and Jose Bello to the Boston Red Sox, according to sources familiar with the deal.
It’s one of the most stunning trades in recent baseball history and one that has had reactions around the league similar to Luke Doncic being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Did you get hacked?” one National League executive said. “Holy f*ck” said an American League executive. “That’s all the Red Sox got?” one agent said.
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Why did the Boston Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants?
Devers, 28, is in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract. The relationship between the two sides had deteriorated publicly over the last few months after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman while Devers continued to insist he wanted to play third base. At first he was not willing to move into a designated hitter role, but has served in that role almost all season. Devers, however, informed the team that he was not willing to play first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury.
At one point this season, Red Sox owner John Henry met with Devers after the star slugger made strong comments against team executive Crag Breslow after the front office requested another position switch.
What Rafael Devers brings to the San Francisco Giants
Now, Devers joins a Giants lineup that features Matt Chapman and Willy Adames. Addressing the offense was the Giants’ most pressing issue, and adding Devers goes a long way toward upgrading it. He’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball, hitting .279/.349/.509 with 214 home runs and 695 RBI across nine major-league seasons.
Hicks and Harrison will further bolster the Red Sox’s pitching depth behind Garrett Crochet. Hicks was recently moved to the bullpen while Harrison, a former top prospect, had fluctuated between the rotation, bullpen and minors throughout the first three seasons of his career. With Justin Verlander about to return off the Injured List, it’s possible that Harrison was on the verge of being moved to the bullpen again.
Harrison was only minutes away from starting for the Giants on Sunday Night Baseball before the trade broke.
It also will not be long until Devers faces his former team, as the Red Sox are scheduled to be in San Francisco on June 20 for a three game series against the Giants.