The Boston Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in a stunning deal, and the slugger’s refusal to make one change in recent weeks was reportedly a catalyst behind the move.
Devers has been traded to San Francisco for what most view as an underwhelming package of MLB players and prospects. While Devers has sorted out his issues at the plate following a slow start to the season, it sounds as though his relationship with the Red Sox was tarnished beyond repair.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox wanted Devers to play first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in early May. When Devers was asked about the possibility of playing first after Casas went down, he responded by ripping Boston’s front office and accusing them of lying.
The day after Devers made those comments, Passan says Red Sox owner John Henry, president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City, where Boston was playing. The Red Sox’s brass met with Devers, but it apparently did not go well.
Passan reports that Devers’ refusal to play first base in the weeks since that meeting “led to internal tension and helped facilitate the (trade).”
Devers, who is a below-average defensive player, was openly unhappy with the Red Sox after they moved him to designated hitter prior to the season. The move was a no-brainer after Boston signed Alex Bregman, who won a Gold Glove Award as a third baseman last season. Still, Devers was so angry with the decision that he did not rule out requesting a trade.
The Red Sox likely feel that Devers should have been willing to do anything the team asked of him, especially after he signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in 2023. Devers seemed more interested in proving a point by not playing first base after Boston already forced him into becoming a DH.
