Shocker in MLB: Devers Traded to Giants

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The drama between the Red Sox and DH Rafael Devers started in spring training this season, when the club signed 3B Alex Bregman to a 3-year, $120 million contract.

Devers had been the team’s starting third baseman since 2018, accumulating 190 home runs and 21.8 WAR in 922 games. His bat was never the problem, as his defensive run value stood at -20 through the 2024 season for his career.

On the other hand, Bregman has a career +15 run value, making the Bregman signing a +35 fielding run value improvement.

With this signing, the Red Sox asked Devers to move full-time designated hitter. Devers responded with, “No…. I play third base.”

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Devers eventually agreed to DH and has had a stellar start to the season, slashing .271/.400/.494 with 15 homers in 72 games.

After the Red Sox completed a series sweep of division rivals, the New York Yankees, news dropped that Devers was being shipped to San Francisco.

https://x.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1934387880824340672

This trade seemingly came out of nowhere, as no rumors had come out that Devers was interested in being traded or that the Red Sox wanted to trade him.

The trade package back to the Red Sox includes LHP Kyle Harrison, RHP Jordan Hicks, OF prospect James Tibbs III, and RHP prospect Jose Bello.

Harrison, 23, was slated to start tonight’s game vs the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was scratched from the game before first pitch. He was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. He has pitched this season to a 4.56 ERA in 23.3 innings with 25 K and a 1.26 WHIP.

https://x.com/RedSox/status/1934412315253948643

Jordan Hicks, 28, signed a 4 year, $44 million contract with the Giants before the 2024 season. In his first six seasons, Hicks primarily worked as a reliever, but the Giants transformed him into a full-time starter.

Working as a starter and reliever, Hicks has posted subpar numbers as a Giant. In his two seasons in San Francisco, Hicks has pitched to 4.83 ERA in 158.1 IP with 139 K.

This season has been especially rocky, as Hicks has a 6.47 ERA in 48.2 IP. It is unknown whether he will serve as a starter or reliever in Boston.

Tibbs, 21, was drafted in the first round (13th overall) in the 2024 MLB draft out of Florida State. He was ranked the Giants’ #4 prospect and is now the Red Sox’s #6 prospect, but will move up soon following the graduations of OF Roman Anthony and INF Marcelo Mayer.

Tibbs is slashing .246/.379/.478 in 57 games and 207 at-bats in High-A this season.

Jose Bello, 20, worked this season as a reliever with a 2 ERA in 8 games in Rookie ball.

The trade package for Devers is not one headlined by top prospects, the main reason due to his massive contract. Devers signed a 10-year, $315,350,000 contract with the Red Sox in 2023. He is still owed roughly $250 million over the next eight seasons.

This hefty price tag for a negative defender and probable career designated hitter is the reason the Red Sox did not net a top prospect back, like 1B Bryce Eldridge.

A huge win now move by the San Fransico Giants and Buster Posey, and a head scratching move by the Red Sox, as it seems as if they could have gotten much more for the 3-time All-Star.

The Red Sox now sit at 37-36, winning eight of their last ten, and are 6.5 games behind the division-leading Yankees in the AL East.

The Giants are now 41-31, winning seven of their last ten, and sit 2 games behind the division leader Dodgers, in the NL West.

About Post Author

Michael Bodzenta

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I fell in love with sports from a young age. Whether I was playing them throughout high school or in the yard with my friends, I knew I had found something I loved. Watching them was also a main part of my childhood, as I could name almost every player on all three Cleveland sports teams. Talking about sports is something I can do for hours, so as I got older, I quickly realized that I knew what I wanted to do. I started writing about sports and talking about sports in high school. It was fun and easy for me. My dream goal would be to become baseball analyst, covering breaking news and other stories in the sport. I've written numerous articles about sports including the Browns and the Guardians. I currently write for Kent Wired, where I expanded my knowledge to cover Health and Fitness. I have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Premier, and Audition. I work as the social media manager/representative for the Kent State Club Baseball team creating graphics mostly on Instagram and some on Twitter (X) . The goal of this is to get more engagement for the team, create awareness, and raise money. I also currently coach for a 17u travel baseball organization (Midwest Stars) out of Hudson, Ohio. Through this I have been able to continue my love for the game, give back to the community, and strengthen my leadership qualities. My passion for sports especially baseball remains unquestioned and I strive to continue to report on something I love.

mbodzent@kent.edu

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