In a move that stunned the baseball world, the Boston Red Sox have traded their longtime star and the last remaining piece of their 2018 World Series-winning team, Rafael Devers, to the San Francisco Giants. The trade, which saw Devers head west for a package including right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, and two prospects, marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Red Sox shedding its homegrown talent.
A Familiar Pattern: The Red Sox Letting Go of Stars
It’s becoming a painful pattern for Boston fans. The Red Sox, once seen as a team committed to building around homegrown talent, have now traded away three of the most important players from their 2018 championship roster. In early 2020, the team made the controversial decision to ship Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. A few years later, in December 2022, Xander Bogaerts was sent to the San Diego Padres after Boston failed to make a competitive offer to keep him.
Now, just a few months into the 2025 season, Devers, who had been the face of the franchise since his 2017 debut, is headed to San Francisco. For a team that had once seemed built around Betts, Bogaerts, and Devers, this marks the end of an era.
Devers: The Heart of the Red Sox
Devers, at just 28 years old, had been the Red Sox’s longest-tenured player and was still one of the best hitters in the game. In fact, Devers was Boston’s most consistent offensive force in 2025, with a .272 batting average and a .504 slugging percentage. Despite a rocky start to the season, where he went hitless in his first 25 plate appearances, Devers rebounded to become one of the league’s top hitters. By the time he was traded, he ranked as the seventh-best qualified hitter since May.
What makes this trade so striking is the timing. The Red Sox, while not at the top of the American League East, were still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Trading Devers, their best bat, so close to the trade deadline raises serious questions about the team’s direction.
A Deal That Leaves Fans Asking Why
The Devers trade is particularly surprising given that the Red Sox had just extended him to a massive 11-year, $331 million contract in 2023, which at the time was the largest in the team’s history. With over $250 million remaining on that deal, the move has raised eyebrows around the league. While some analysts, like ESPN’s Jeff Passan, suggested that the Red Sox were trying to “get out from a deal every model in baseball has as underwater,” it’s hard to ignore how critical Devers has been to the team’s offense.
Even more perplexing is that Devers didn’t have a no-trade clause, and though there had been reports he might request a trade, he did not. Yet, the tension between Devers and the front office had been palpable. A significant factor in the rift was the signing of Alex Bregman, which displaced Devers at third base. While Bregman had been brought in to improve the team, the situation only seemed to exacerbate the discord. Devers, initially reluctant to DH, eventually balked at the idea of playing first base when the Red Sox faced an injury crisis at that position. This, combined with the Red Sox’s mishandling of the situation, led to a break in the relationship.
The Fallout of Trading Devers
The trade of Devers marks the latest in a string of decisions that have led the Red Sox into a murky future. Since the departure of Betts and Bogaerts, the Red Sox have struggled to find consistency on the field. They’ve experienced a mix of mediocrity, ranking 16th in leaguewide wins since 2020 and having finished in last place in their division three times. This new chapter, however, brings with it questions about what comes next.
With Devers gone, the Red Sox are now in the midst of transitioning to a new era, with prospects like Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony leading the charge. Yet, despite their promise, these rookies haven’t yet had the chance to make a major impact. The team’s future remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether the Red Sox will ever return to their former glory without the star power they’ve traded away.
The Giants’ Gain
While Boston fans are left to wrestle with their emotions, the San Francisco Giants are celebrating their acquisition of Devers. The Giants, who had been in the hunt for a star to bolster their lineup, now have a middle-of-the-order bat who can make an immediate impact. Devers, who has hit over 30 home runs in three seasons, has the potential to become the best hitter San Francisco has seen since Buster Posey’s prime.
For the Giants, this trade is a bold move that helps them contend in the NL West. With a strong pitching staff led by Logan Webb and a solid bullpen, Devers adds the offensive punch the team desperately needed. The move also gives San Francisco a player capable of hitting for power, a skill the team has lacked in recent years. Oracle Park, notoriously difficult for left-handed hitters, will likely slow Devers’ pace in terms of home runs, but his ability to hit for extra bases and drive in runs will make him a key piece in the Giants’ playoff push.
A New Chapter for Both Teams
As Devers dons a Giants uniform for the first time this weekend, Boston’s front office will have to deal with the aftermath of yet another high-profile departure. While the future may be bright for the team’s young prospects, there is no denying that the loss of Devers leaves a gaping hole in their lineup.
For the Giants, the addition of Devers may prove to be the missing piece they’ve needed to return to the postseason. While the trade may not have the immediate impact of the Betts deal, it certainly has the potential to reshape the fortunes of both franchises in the years to come.
Boston’s Identity Crisis
As for the Red Sox, the team has entered a new phase—one where loyalty to long-time players no longer seems guaranteed. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful rebuild or another misstep remains to be seen. Fans can only hope that the franchise finds its way back to the top, but for now, they’ll have to reconcile with the fact that the Red Sox they once knew may be gone for good.