On June 15, while Red Sox fans were still celebrating a Yankees sweep, breaking news sent shockwaves through the MLB: the Rafael Devers trade to the San Francisco Giants. In exchange, the Red Sox received LHP Kyle Harrison, RHP Jordan Hicks, and minor leaguers James Tibbs III and Jose Bello. With Devers tracking toward the Hall of Fame, fans and analysts alike are left wondering why this Rafael Devers trade had to happen.
Since debuting in 2017, Rafael Devers became a Boston icon. He helped secure the 2018 World Series title, launching 21 home runs and driving in 66 RBIs that season. Over his nine-year tenure with the team, he amassed 215 home runs and nearly 700 RBIs with a .279 batting average. Devers earned 3 All-Star selections and 2 Silver Slugger Awards, and in 2023, signed a 10-year/$313.5M contract expected to keep him in Boston for life.
After a slow start to the 2025 season and a shift to designated hitter, Devers heated up, ranking third in MLB hitting behind Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso. Despite this resurgence, the trade blindsided many. While no official reason has been cited, speculation suggests dissatisfaction from the front office and financial motivations played a role.
This marks yet another controversial move by the Red Sox front office. From Mookie Betts to Xander Bogaerts, the trend of letting go of homegrown stars continues. For many fans, the Rafael Devers trade is the final straw.
In February, the Red Sox signed 3B Alex Bregman to a three-year deal, raising questions about Devers’ position. Devers initially resisted the switch to DH, stating:
“Third base is my position,” Devers said. “It’s what I’ve played…I made it clear, kind of what my desires were.”
Later, Devers walked back his stance and accepted his DH role. When 1B Tristan Casas was injured, Devers refused to play first, citing a lack of preparation:
“In Spring Training, they told me to put away my glove and just DH. They can’t expect me to play every position out there,” Devers said via interpreter Daveson Perez.
Owner John Henry even flew to Kansas City to meet Devers in person, a move that may have signaled a turning point in their relationship and ultimately led to the Rafael Devers trade.
The Red Sox time and time again have proved that even though they are the third richest MLB team, they just do not want to pay their most valuable players.
Mookie Betts to Dodgers, 2020. Red Sox Receive Jeter Downs, Alex Verdugo and Connor Wong.
Maybe one of the worst trades by the Red Sox since the Curse of the Great Bambino began in 1919. Mookie Betts was signed by the Red Sox in 2011 and spent three years in the minors until debuting in 2014.
Betts led the Sox to a 2018 World Series win and had the potential to be one of the greatest homegrown players in Sox history. He became the first player to win a Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, MVP, Batting title and World Series all in the same season.
The Red Sox weren’t willing to make a serious contract offer to Betts and let him go in a heartbreaking deal. Downs ended up playing 14 games for the Sox and Verdugo went to the Yankees prior to the 2024 season. Terrible work by the Red Sox.
Xander Bogaerts Signs with Padres, 2022
Another homegrown player gone too soon. Bogaerts signed with the Padres as a free agent after a failure by the Red Sox to give him a fair contract. Bogaerts signed with the Red Sox in 2009 and debuted in 2013, winning a World Series in his rookie season. He won five Silver Sluggers with the Sox and set the all-time record for games played at shortstop.
In 2019, the Red Sox signed Bogaerts to a six year extension but he opted out in 2022 to pursue a larger contract with them in free agency. The Sox reportedly lowballed Bogaerts which led him to sign an 11yr/$280m deal with the Padres.
This trade reinforces the narrative that the Red Sox, despite being one of the wealthiest teams in MLB, are unwilling to invest in their stars. The Rafael Devers trade is not just a baseball move—it’s a symbolic break from a player who represented the heart of the team. John Henry and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow have chosen the bottom line over loyalty, once again. It will take a mountain for them to regain trust in the fanbase.
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