Some media outlets are calling the situation that led up to the Rafael Devers trade from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants an “absolute sh**show.”
Apparently, the blockbuster deal was the culmination of eroded trust, fraying relationships, and a deeper breakdown inside one of MLB’s most visible franchises. The trade was announced on Sunday and will send pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, as well as minor leaguers James Tibbs and Jose Bello, back to Boston. It is presumed the Giants agreed to take on all of Devers’ current contract, which will pay him $254.5 million over the eight seasons after this one.
As previously mentioned, this was not your usual trade that was done by the books and left the player involved with no hard feelings.
The Rumored Reasons Behind the Rafael Devers Trade
According to Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports, issues with Devers (who did not demand a trade) reportedly began when Boston signed former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract in free agency this most recent winter.
Before 2025, Devers had spent his entire career at third base. Though speculations surrounding further reasoning have not ceased, some also point fingers at rookie Kristian Campbell.
According to Yahoo Sports, Devers additionally told reporters that the team had assured him third base was still his, even back when they signed Bregman. But the Red Sox then handed Bregman the job.
“According to multiple sources, Devers was also upset when the rookie Campbell volunteered to play first base this season — interpreting it as a slight to his own stature.”
– @joonlee pic.twitter.com/HWemBZsGEw
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) June 16, 2025
“I’m not certain what [issue] he has with me,” Devers said in May of Boston executive Craig Breslow, who played 12 seasons in the majors from 2005 through 2017. “He played ball, and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy.”
The standoff escalated as team owner John Henry flew to Kansas City alongside team president Sam Kennedy and Breslow to meet with Devers in person. Next thing you know, Devers is now on the San Francisco roster.
Devers has been enjoying one of the best seasons of his career at the plate, hitting .272/.401/.504 and leading the league in walks with 56.
Boston is currently second-to-last in the American League East with a 37-36 overall record. However, they have also won eight of their last 10 matchups and are clearly making moves to improve things by adding someone like Devers to their roster.
In what is sure to be a high-stakes game for Devers, the next game between the two ball clubs will take place as soon as Friday, June 20, when the Boston Red Sox are hosted by the Giants at Oracle Park.
First pitch is slated for 10:15 EST.