The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 2-0 on Sunday, June 15, with Rafael Devers hitting another home run for Boston. Shortly after the game, though, Boston traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players in a stunning move.
Disputes between Devers and Red Sox management have run high since spring training. When former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman signed a free-agent contract with Boston, the team moved Devers from third base to designated hitter.
Now, Boston moves on from Devers, who signed a 10-year contract with the team.
It’s kind of a puzzling move to get rid of Devers for a somewhat questionable return from San Francisco. It’s also possible Boston team owner John W. Henry might want to save some cash as the Red Sox turn toward a youth movement.
Bill Simmons of “The Ringer” has publicly pointed out another very confusing move by Henry and his Premier League organization, the Liverpool Football Club.
Red Sox Owner’s Puzzling Liverpool Move Questioned After Rafael Devers Trade
After Devers was traded, Simmons posted a screenshot of an article that shows Liverpool’s latest signing: A $135 million contract for German midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Hmmmmm… pic.twitter.com/SHnZV5bBom
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 16, 2025
There is an additional $18.5 million fee that needs to be sent as well to land Wirtz. The timing around Wirtz’s signing and trading Devers is worth questioning.
On the other hand, Liverpool generated over $400 million in revenue from the 2023-24 season. That’s a lot of cash for Liverpool to use. Moreover, the Fenway Sports Group, which Henry runs, also owns the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Still, the timing of both events is a bit curious. The Devers deal leaves observers scratching their heads. Devers was still producing, even with the drama between him not wanting to play first base.
On Monday, Damien Woody on ESPN’s “Get Up” went off on Boston, calling them a “small-market team. “Like we’re a small-market team. I don’t know what the hell we are doing in Boston right now. This feels like Mookie Betts all over again, trading away a young superstar like this.”
This is quite a turn of events for Boston. Henry and the Red Sox ownership group have some major questions to answer over the next few months.