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Last night, we saw something we hadn’t in almost 22 months. Elsewhere: The fallout from a trade that’ll reverberate for … years to come.
Welcome to The Windup! We have our own MVP-caliber opener today with Levi Weaver on the IL for the moment. Here’s Ken Rosenthal:
Ken’s Notebook: Big Papi weighs in on Devers deal
Hall of Famer David Ortiz works for the Boston Red Sox as a special assistant to the Fenway Sports Group. But he said his opinion of the Rafael Devers trade is informed more by his 14 years as a player with the Red Sox than his current role with the club.
“I played for the Red Sox a long time,” Ortiz said yesterday. “You think everything with me and the Red Sox was roses and flowers? I went through some tough times also. But I was mature enough to understand and keep things internal. Even in the best families, between the best brothers, s—- happens. You need to have the maturity to resolve the problems and move on.”
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Ortiz, 49, experienced occasional turbulence in his contract negotiations with the Red Sox. Some of the squabbles went public, but he ultimately finished his career with the team. In 2017, one year after he retired, the Red Sox signed him to what they described as a “forever” contract, enabling him to play a variety of roles with the club.
Devers, 28, did not resolve his problems with Boston’s front office. And on Sunday, the Red Sox (38-36 after last night’s win against Seattle) made one of the most stunning baseball trades in recent memory, sending Devers to the San Francisco Giants for right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and pitching prospect Jose Bello.
Ortiz, a colleague of mine at Fox Sports, does not consider the Red Sox blameless in the breakdown of their relationship with their best hitter, a homegrown slugger who was in the second year of a 10-year, $313.5 million extension. But after Devers’ initial resistance to becoming a DH and subsequent refusal to play first base, Ortiz said, “I knew it wasn’t going to end well. There was too much going on, you know?”
In a situation like the one that developed, Ortiz said, the player is not in control. Devers, lacking a no-trade clause, did not even possess the power to influence where the Red Sox might trade him. He has yet to comment on changing coasts, but Ortiz said, “I prefer to play in Boston than freezing-ass San Francisco for the next 10 years.”
“I know the communication between Devers and the Red Sox wasn’t the best at the very beginning,” Ortiz said. “But at some point you have to realize the organization has the power over everyone. They can play you, trade you, let you go. Sometimes as a young player, it’s hard to understand that. But they have the power to do whatever they want. The only thing you can control is what you do on the field.”
He’s Back: Ohtani hits triple digits in return
A brief break from Devers now to check in on another stunning development: Shohei Ohtani’s first start since August 2023 — and first ever with the Dodgers.
The right-hander hit 100.2 mph with his fastball last night in an abbreviated outing against the Padres, still a dizzying feat for someone who is also the National League home runs leader. His final line: one inning, two hits, one run, no strikeouts. It’s really real:
Great to see Shohei Ohtani back on the mound again! pic.twitter.com/2YIhHcsHGe
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2025
Here’s Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya on the scene in Los Angeles:
Ohtani toed the rubber at 7:10 p.m. for his first pitching appearance in a Dodgers uniform. At 7:22 p.m., he completed his first inning, having allowed a pair of softly hit singles and a run on a Manny Machado sacrifice fly. He flashed eye-popping stuff, even if he looked like someone pitching in a big league game for the first time in nearly two years.
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By 7:24 p.m., the reigning National League MVP was stepping into the batter’s box to lead off against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease and struck out on seven pitches.
He didn’t even have time to stop in the dugout; his gear was laid out for him on the dirt in front of it. Time is at a premium when you’re trying to do it all.
“To watch this guy start and then take an at-bat, this is bananas,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Oh, and at the plate, Ohtani went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win.
More Ohtani:
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
The 👀 Quotes: Anonymous officials discuss the trade
Everyone loves a buzzy anonymous quote. We just saw it last week with our anonymous player poll. So, great news: Our staff polled more than two dozen people — managers, coaches, front office executives, scouts and agents — about the Devers trade, and Britt Ghiroli delivered the goods:
- “We got our Luka Dončić trade!” said one American League evaluator, referring to the NBA blockbuster in February. “It should have happened in spring training, but no one saw it coming now. Our group chat was blowing up.”
- A veteran agent was mystified as to why Devers’ contract didn’t include a no-trade provision: “On a deal like this and a player like (Devers), you have max leverage. You are going to get almost anything you want. The money is the fight, everything else these teams throw in. For him to not get any kind of no-trade is embarrassing.”
- Said an NL executive: “Look, fans are going to kill them, the media is going to kill them, but if you take a step back and really think about what (the Red Sox) did, it puts a lot of pressure on their young players now, but in a few years I think this trade will be lauded.”
Plenty more comments here. And more trade coverage:
Handshakes and High Fives
While Boston’s off the field moves the past few days have loudly dominated the conversation in the AL East, the Yankees’ powerful offense has suddenly been reduced to a whisper. A brutal 1-0, 11-inning loss to the Angels on Monday extended the team’s scoreless streak to 20 innings and marked the first time they’ve been shut out in consecutive games since August 2023. To make things worse, the Rays have won their past four games, narrowing New York’s division lead to just 2 ½ games. Here’s Brendan Kuty’s dispatch from the Bronx last night.
Has the Yankees’ recent slide impacted their place in the latest MLB Power Rankings? Not as much as you’d think.
After 14 big-league seasons, 36-year-old Drew Pomeranz nearly retired in the middle of the 2024 campaign. Now he’s thriving in the Cubs bullpen.
Just a year ago, Trey Yesavage was pitching in the NCAA Regionals for East Carolina. Now the Blue Jays’ 2024 first-round pick has become one of the fastest risers in his draft class after a promotion to Double A.
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Speaking of college pitchers, did you see what Gage Wood did on Monday? The Arkansas junior and likely first-round pick threw the College World Series’ first no-hitter in 65 years, striking out 19! Murray State hitters. Mitch Sherman captures the spectacle here.
And finally, a farewell to former Mets and Cardinals reliever Ron Taylor, who died Monday at 87. Taylor won a World Series ring as a player with both teams and then earned two more while serving as the team doctor for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays for more than 30 years.
Most-clicked in our last newsletter: Kiké Hernández’s support for immigrants amid the Los Angeles ICE raids and protests.
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(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)
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Češky v Brně zahájí domácí Eurobasket, trapas z Izraele nehrozí
OBHAJOBA POZICEPřed dvěma roky na mistrovství Evropy omlazený český národní tým překvapivě ukončil desetileté čekání na postup mezi osmičku nejlepších, když skolil Itálii i Řecko. Češky se navíc málem prokousaly do bojů o medaile, ale ve čtvrtfinále prohrály o jediný bod s Maďarskem i následně v souboji o umístění s Německem.Letos se turnaje zúčastní osm ze dvanácti hráček z předloňského kádru, část z nich dospěla do ideálního basketbalového věku.„Ten kádr by měl od Eurobasketu v roce 2023 herně vyzrát, teď je otázka, aby neubylo nadšení a bojovnosti, byly jsme tehdy trochu v roli outsiderů, hráčky si musely sáhnout víc na dno, některé soupeřky nás lehce podcenily. Takže herně už asi budeme dál, ale snad neopadne nadšení,“ porovnala šampionáty trenérka Ptáčková.Její svěřenky chtějí na domácí akci potvrdit, že tato generace patří mezi širší evropskou špičku.EUROBASKET V BAŠTĚČeskou skupinu Eurobasketu bude hostit Brno. Do kdysi vyhlášené ženské basketbalové bašty se loni díky Žabinám vrátila Euroliga a letos po […]
John Textor vs Nasser Al-Khelaifi — a French football feud that is about to go global at Club World Cup
When the Club World Cup draw was made in December, conjuring the jumbled bones of Gianni Infantino’s strange monster into something approaching life, a few fixtures immediately jumped out.Paris Saint-Germain vs Atletico Madrid sounded fun, like a Champions League quarter-final that had boarded the wrong flight. There was Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors, a 22-man culture clash, plus multiple underdog tales waiting to be told — or not — by Auckland City and Mamelodi Sundowns.AdvertisementThrow in the possibility for the kind of jubilant human dioramas that we have seen over the last few days — Esperance de Tunis supporters taking over Times Square, the rolling Boca roadshow — and you had most of the ingredients needed for a solid group stage.Most but not all. There was one key thing missing, at least at first glance.Summer tournaments are celebratory things, but […]
Estevao – the Palmeiras prodigy bound for Chelsea who sees the football pitch as his ‘amusement park’
More than a few Chelsea-supporting eyes were drawn to Palmeiras’ goalless draw with Porto at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, eager to watch the bright new hope of Brazilian football test himself against European opposition for the first time.The fact that Estevao was named FIFA’s Superior Player of the Match — an award decided by viewer votes — underlined the bubbling excitement that has followed him to this Club World Cup, and will accompany him to Stamford Bridge when a transfer worth €34million (£29m, $39m) up front and another €23m tied to performance-based incentives is formally completed after the tournament.AdvertisementEstevao has had many more decisive matches for Palmeiras in the dazzling first 18 months of his professional career, but the Porto defence still bore witness to the qualities that compelled Chelsea to move so quickly to secure his signature last year: […]
That name you keep hearing: Hugo Ekitike. Exactly how good is the Chelsea and Man Utd target?
Seen enough of Jonathan David? Not too fussed regarding Benjamin Sesko? A Viktor Gyokeres skeptic? Well, how about the next name on the carousel of striker transfer speculation, Hugo Ekitike?As reported in The Athletic’s DealSheet on Monday, Manchester United have enquired about the availability of the Eintracht Frankfurt forward in recent weeks, and he’s also on the radar of Chelsea. The German club are adamant that the Frenchman will not leave for less than their €100million (£85.5m; $115m) asking price — just over six times what they paid Paris Saint-Germain for him last year — but are willing to be flexible around the structure of a deal.AdvertisementIt might seem an audacious stance, but having secured Champions League football for next season, Frankfurt have little reason to sell. They have banked sizeable fees from parting with Randal Kolo Muani, Willian Pacho […]
PSG’s strategic ‘Paris’ branding is a masterstroke – but do they have star power to break the U.S.?
Paris is known for its iconic landmarks, being the city of love, a rich history of art and culture, an exquisite culinary scene, and being home to luxurious fashion houses.It also exports Paris Saint-Germain to the world.In their quest for international growth, PSG have taken advantage of being located in the French capital. Their leisurewear is adorned with ‘Paris’, as opposed to ‘Paris Saint-Germain’, and the Eiffel Tower has featured prominently on their club crest since the mid-1990s.AdvertisementPSG’s strategy to drive their commercial revenue streams in North America, Asia and Africa has led to some of the most forward-thinking partnerships in the football industry, whether that is with NBA great Michael Jordan or fashion brand Dior.Take a walk down New York’s Fifth Avenue and you will find PSG stores alongside luxury fashion houses.It is why the club, who won their […]
Newcastle’s search for their next sporting director: What we’re hearing
Andy Howe and Steve Nickson have been placed in interim charge of first-team recruitment as Newcastle United look to appoint their third sporting director inside a year.Howe, Newcastle’s assistant head of recruitment, and nephew of Eddie Howe, the head coach, has been tasked with driving the hunt for new signings alongside Nickson, given Paul Mitchell is leaving his role on June 30.AdvertisementWhile Mitchell will remain involved until then, agents and clubs are now being directed towards Andy Howe, with Nickson, the head of recruitment, also heavily involved, given his experience. This arrangement was effectively formalised on Tuesday.Mitchell only took up his position last July, when Dan Ashworth’s four-month spell on gardening leave ended and he joined Manchester United. Despite having announced his decision to leave “by mutual consent” on May 27, Mitchell is continuing to advise Newcastle on their transfer […]
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Češky v Brně zahájí domácí Eurobasket, trapas z Izraele nehrozí
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Seen enough of Jonathan David? Not too fussed regarding Benjamin Sesko? A Viktor Gyokeres skeptic? Well, how about the next name on the carousel of striker transfer speculation, Hugo Ekitike?As reported in The Athletic’s DealSheet on Monday, Manchester United have enquired about the availability of the Eintracht Frankfurt forward in recent weeks, and he’s also on the radar of Chelsea. The German club are adamant that the Frenchman will not leave for less than their €100million (£85.5m; $115m) asking price — just over six times what they paid Paris Saint-Germain for him last year — but are willing to be flexible around the structure of a deal.AdvertisementIt might seem an audacious stance, but having secured Champions League football for next season, Frankfurt have little reason to sell. They have banked sizeable fees from parting with Randal Kolo Muani, Willian Pacho […]
PSG’s strategic ‘Paris’ branding is a masterstroke – but do they have star power to break the U.S.?
Paris is known for its iconic landmarks, being the city of love, a rich history of art and culture, an exquisite culinary scene, and being home to luxurious fashion houses.It also exports Paris Saint-Germain to the world.In their quest for international growth, PSG have taken advantage of being located in the French capital. Their leisurewear is adorned with ‘Paris’, as opposed to ‘Paris Saint-Germain’, and the Eiffel Tower has featured prominently on their club crest since the mid-1990s.AdvertisementPSG’s strategy to drive their commercial revenue streams in North America, Asia and Africa has led to some of the most forward-thinking partnerships in the football industry, whether that is with NBA great Michael Jordan or fashion brand Dior.Take a walk down New York’s Fifth Avenue and you will find PSG stores alongside luxury fashion houses.It is why the club, who won their […]
Newcastle’s search for their next sporting director: What we’re hearing
Andy Howe and Steve Nickson have been placed in interim charge of first-team recruitment as Newcastle United look to appoint their third sporting director inside a year.Howe, Newcastle’s assistant head of recruitment, and nephew of Eddie Howe, the head coach, has been tasked with driving the hunt for new signings alongside Nickson, given Paul Mitchell is leaving his role on June 30.AdvertisementWhile Mitchell will remain involved until then, agents and clubs are now being directed towards Andy Howe, with Nickson, the head of recruitment, also heavily involved, given his experience. This arrangement was effectively formalised on Tuesday.Mitchell only took up his position last July, when Dan Ashworth’s four-month spell on gardening leave ended and he joined Manchester United. Despite having announced his decision to leave “by mutual consent” on May 27, Mitchell is continuing to advise Newcastle on their transfer […]
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