The situations that led up to the Rafael Devers trade from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants were previously described as an “absolute sh**show.”
It had been reported that rookie Kristian Campbell was also to take some of the blame. Apparently, Devers was upset when Campbell volunteered to play first base after the Red Sox gave third base to Alex Bregman following his signing this most recent winter. What isn’t apparent is that no matter what went down behind the scenes, Devers is no longer with Boston.
The trade was announced on Sunday and sent pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, as well as minor leaguers James Tibbs and Jose Bello, back to Boston. However, Red Sox beat reporter Christopher Smith said the allegations that Campbell played any role in the trade are false.
Red Sox Staff Takes the Heat
According to Smith, Campbell did not volunteer to take first base over Devers. Boston’s staff approached the rookie themselves with that request.
“Alex Cora said Kristian Campbell never approached him about playing first base. It was the Red Sox who approached Campbell and he said he knows nothing of Devers being mad. Said today when he saw the report was the first time he ever heard anything about it,” Smith wrote on X.
Alex Cora said Kristian Campbell never approached him about playing first base. It was the Red Sox who approached Campbell and he said he knows nothing of Devers being mad. Said today when he saw the report was the first time he ever heard anything about it
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) June 17, 2025
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.
“I’m not certain what [issue] he has with me,” Devers previously said 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.
And as of Tuesday, Devers is fully focused on his San Francisco era and has put his time in Boston in the rearview. “What happened with the Red Sox is in the past,” Devers said. “I’m someone who takes it day by day and will give it my best now that I’m here. I think the reason they brought me here is to win. I’m someone who likes to win and compete.”
It will be interesting to see how fat Devers goes with the Giants.