Giants Strike Gold: Breaking Down the Surprising Superstar Trade

Mere hours after recording his 58th RBI, which is 3rd in MLB, of the season via a solo home run to cement a series sweep against the Red Sox’s biggest rival, Rafael Devers was traded to San Francisco in a surprising, blockbuster trade. The three time all star was dealt in exchange for right handed pitcher Jordan Hicks and southpaw Kyle Harrison, along with two of the Giants’ prospects. To say the move was stunning is an understatement. Devers, who had spent his entire eight-and-a-half-year career in Boston, was not widely considered open for the market. There was certainly some friction between him and the Red Sox management this year, when he was asked to play third base to replace injured Alex Bregam, but it had not seemed like a significant issue. Rafael Devers refused to step in, claiming that he was explicitly told before the season started that he could “throw away his glove”. He has played all 73 games this year as the designated hitter. The issue was newsworthy for some time, but far from causing concerns for an irrefutable change in his relationship with the team. Sitting here on June 15th, it seems as though it may have played a role. 

The San Francisco Giants, who lost late Sunday night against the Dodgers, sit in second place in the NL West with a 41-31 record. They are in position for the second wildcard spot in the National League, just a game behind the Phillies for the number four seed. Only two games behind LA, however, they are still looking for their first divisional title since 2021. As of late, the NL West has been dominated by the Dodgers, who have won the division in eleven of the last twelve seasons. This move for Rafael Devers was a clear notice to the league that they are looking to contend for a serious deep October run. 

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are now without their best hitter and sitting in fourth place in the AL East. Even after their sweep against their historic New York rivals, they are six and a half games behind the Yankees. The addition of two new starting pitchers fills a needed hole for Boston, whose team ERA was a meager 4.02, 20th in MLB. Their current rotation included rookie Hunter Dobbins, who was having a difficult start to his career. Without their star hitter and lacking serious depth in the infield, it might be time for management to look to sell even more in preparation for the July 31st trade deadline.