Rafael Devers is officially a San Francisco Giant. And he doesn’t care where on the field he plays.
The Giants introduced their new star slugger on Tuesday, two days after acquiring Devers in a trade from the Boston Red Sox. The deal took place after a public falling out in Boston in which the Red Sox removed Devers from his longtime position at third base and put him at designated hitter.
Advertisement
Devers isn’t projected to play at third in San Francisco, either. That job belongs to five-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman. But Devers isn’t worried about it. He was the designated hitter for his Giants debut against the Cleveland Guardians, a game the team lost 3-2 at Oracle Park, on Tuesday.
Here’s what he had to say on the subject at his introductory news conference.
“I’m here to give my 100%,” Devers said through his interpreter. “I don’t put any buts. They’re the men in charge.
“I am here to play wherever they want me to play.”
Devers went 2-for-5 in the loss with an RBI double in the third inning.
He struck out swinging in his first at-bat of the night, but he received a very warm welcome from Giants fans before doing so.
Third-base fallout in Boston
Had Devers provided the same answer to the same question in Boston, he might still be a member of the Red Sox. Instead, he’s taking a new approach with his new team that acquired him to compete in a loaded NL West.
Advertisement
Before joining the Giants, Devers played his entire eight-plus season MLB career with the Red Sox. He’s a four-time All-Star who very well could earn his fifth selection this season. He was the last remaining player on the roster from Boston’s 2018 World Series championship team.
But the relationship between Devers and the Red Sox grew strained this winter after Boston acquired third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency. That signing presented the Red Sox with an obvious baseball decision.
Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman. Devers, by multiple advanced metrics, is one of the worst third basemen in the sport. The obvious move was to place Bregman at third and move Devers — an All-Star slugger — to designated hitter.
But Devers made clear in no uncertain terms during spring training that he had zero desire to cede third base to Bregman.
“Third base is my position,” Devers said in February, per MLB.com. “It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were, and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
Advertisement
Devers then responded “no” when asked if he was open to playing designated hitter.
Rafael Devers is slated to start his Giants career as San Francisco’s designated hitter. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ultimately, Red Sox manager Alex Cora made the proper baseball decision, and Bregman took over at third. Devers, the veteran leader of the clubhouse, was moved to designated hitter against his wishes.
Devers might not have been happy with the move. But he continued to perform, with a .272/.401/.504 slash line with 15 home runs and 58 RBI through 73 games. Then came Sunday’s stunning news. A Red Sox team in the midst of a five-game winning streak and in the thick of the AL playoff race dealt Devers to the Giants.
Why did the Red Sox trade Devers?
Despite his dissatisfaction, Devers reportedly did not demand a trade. It added up to a stunning decision by the Red Sox that prompted questions Monday for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy.
“We worked at it, we had a different vision for him going forward than he had,” Kennedy told reporters during the news conference. “We couldn’t get there, what we felt we needed from him that would be in the best interest of the ball club.
Advertisement
Breslow floated the idea that trading Devers for pitchers Jordan Hicks (4.23 career ERA) and Kyle Harrison (4.48 career ERA) and some minor leaguers would make the Red Sox better this season.
“I do think there’s a real chance that at the end of the season, we’re looking back, and we’ve won more games than we otherwise would have,” he said.
As for whether Devers requested a trade, Breslow said this:
“There were times during the course of conversations with Raffy’s camp where they had indicated that perhaps a fresh start would be best for both sides,” Breslow said. “And we were committed to trying to work through this.”
Whatever the reason, the Red Sox are moving into a new era focused on rookie slugger Roman Anthony and other top prospects. With Devers in San Francisco, the Red Sox are off the hook for the remaining eight-plus years of his 10-year, $313.5 million contract.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
NFL’s top 10 QBs: There’s the Patrick Mahomes tier, then 3 others
Happy June everyone. The quiet time of the NFL calendar is here before training camps begin in about a month, which is a great time to survey the landscape prior to the upcoming season. With quarterbacks consistently being such a hot topic, let’s both start a fire and throw some gasoline on it by ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in the league — a list surely everyone will agree with and have no complaints over. If you’re so inclined, please send all notes and comments to @CharlesRobinson on Twitter/X.The Patrick Mahomes Tier1. Patrick MahomesThe counting stats might have been down, but no one did more heavy lifting on offense last year than Mahomes. Getting that version of the Chiefs to the Super Bowl was no easy task and even though Mahomes played one of the worst games in his career […]
Palmeiras precisa vencer o Al Ahly no Mundial de Clubes e Ulisses Costa alerta: “Não gostei do Giay, não soube marcar”
O técnico Abel Ferreira, da SE Palmeiras, em jogo contra a equipe do FC Porto, durante partida válida pela fase de grupos, da Copa Mundial de Clubes da FIFA, no Metlife Stadium. (Cesar Greco/Palmeiras/by Canon) Comentarista da Band entende que o técnico Abel Ferreira precisa fazer uma correção para o próximo jogo do Verdão; Sgarbi também opina O Palmeiras volta a campo nesta quinta-feira (19), contra o Al Ahly, pela segunda rodada da Copa do Mundo de Clubes. Após ficar apenas no empate na estreia, diante do Porto, o Verdão precisa da vitória para poder encaminhar a classificação ao mata-mata. Um novo tropeço pode complicar a vida do brasileiro, que passaria a depender de uma combinação de resultados na última rodada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Neste clima de decisão, Abel Ferreira pode corrigir alguns erros da partida anterior e fazer mudanças no […]
AFC North 2025 preview, plus examining Bengals rookie holdout
Inside: Key questions, breakout players and positions to watch in the AFC North, plus a look at the Bengals rookie holdout situation.This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.AFC North PreviewWould you be surprised to learn that the Browns have never won this division?Over 35 years have passed since Cleveland last won any division, the longest active streak in the NFL. (And the longest streak in league history, I believe. I won’t confirm for the sake of Browns fans). The team’s four quarterbacks are unlikely to change that in 2025.Since the AFC North was realigned in 2002, the Steelers lead the way with nine division titles. Baltimore has eight, including last season’s, while the Bengals have six. Here’s how they finished in 2024:Our latest 2025 division preview covers a group […]
Marina Mabrey’s Foul on Caitlin Clark Upgraded to Flagrant-2, But No Suspensions
<!--> The WNBA has upgraded the technical foul on Connecticut's Marina Mabrey for shoving Caitlin Clark to the floor during Tuesday night's game against Indiana to a Flagrant-2, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.Any flagrant foul comes with an automatic fine. The person also said the league has fined the Fever's Sophie Cunningham for her role in the on-court melee that occurred after she fouled Jacy Sheldon with 46.1 seconds left. Cunningham received a Flagrant-2 Tuesday night.There will be no further penalties for on-court actions during the game, the person said. The WNBA doesn't disclose the amount of money players are fined.The play at the end of the game was the culmination of tensions that had been building throughout.[MORE: Scuffle […]
Zico sinaliza Luiz Araújo como trunfo do Flamengo no Mundial de Clubes: “Filipe Luís confia nele”
Luiz Araújo celebra gol no Mundial de Clubes (Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo) Galinho fez questão de enaltecer capacidade do camisa 7 em atuar pelos lados e também participar de tramas ofensivas no meio-campo Zico, antes da bola rolar em Flamengo x Chelsea, enalteceu um dos trunfos do Rubro-Negro no confronto. Cada vez mais consolidado entre os titulares, Luiz Araújo assumiu o protagonismo contra o Espérance ao fornecer assistência para Arrascaeta e também balançar as redes. Neste cenário, o maior ídolo do clube carioca avalia que a confiança de Filipe Luís vem sendo decisiva para o rendimento do atacante. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Para qualquer jogador é sempre bom a confiança que o treinador dá. Então, o Filipe (Luís) confia muito nele, isso já não é de agora. A partir do momento que ele se recuperou bem, porque no início ele jogava e tinha […]
Kaleb Glenn injury: Michigan State’s top-rated transfer to miss 2025-26 season due to torn patellar tendon
Getty Images Tom Izzo and Michigan State will not have one of their top-rated incoming transfers next season after former Florida Atlantic wing Kaleb Glenn suffered a torn patellar tendon during a shooting drill. The injury is expected to sideline Glenn for the 2025-26 campaign, according to Justin Thind of Spartan Tailgate.One of the three transfers for the Spartans' incoming 2025 class, Glenn is the highest rated among the group. The four-star small forward ranked as the No. 81 overall transfer prospect and No. 15 at this position in the portal class. Glenn committed to Michigan State in April with interest from Indiana, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. Glenn was one of the top players for FAU last season down the stretch, finishing as the leading scorer with 12.6 points per game. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound sophomore added 4.8 rebounds per game […]
Related
NFL’s top 10 QBs: There’s the Patrick Mahomes tier, then 3 others
Happy June everyone. The quiet time of the NFL calendar is here before training camps begin in about a month, which is a great time to survey the landscape prior to the upcoming season. With quarterbacks consistently being such a hot topic, let’s both start a fire and throw some gasoline on it by ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in the league — a list surely everyone will agree with and have no complaints over. If you’re so inclined, please send all notes and comments to @CharlesRobinson on Twitter/X.The Patrick Mahomes Tier1. Patrick MahomesThe counting stats might have been down, but no one did more heavy lifting on offense last year than Mahomes. Getting that version of the Chiefs to the Super Bowl was no easy task and even though Mahomes played one of the worst games in his career […]
Palmeiras precisa vencer o Al Ahly no Mundial de Clubes e Ulisses Costa alerta: “Não gostei do Giay, não soube marcar”
O técnico Abel Ferreira, da SE Palmeiras, em jogo contra a equipe do FC Porto, durante partida válida pela fase de grupos, da Copa Mundial de Clubes da FIFA, no Metlife Stadium. (Cesar Greco/Palmeiras/by Canon) Comentarista da Band entende que o técnico Abel Ferreira precisa fazer uma correção para o próximo jogo do Verdão; Sgarbi também opina O Palmeiras volta a campo nesta quinta-feira (19), contra o Al Ahly, pela segunda rodada da Copa do Mundo de Clubes. Após ficar apenas no empate na estreia, diante do Porto, o Verdão precisa da vitória para poder encaminhar a classificação ao mata-mata. Um novo tropeço pode complicar a vida do brasileiro, que passaria a depender de uma combinação de resultados na última rodada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Neste clima de decisão, Abel Ferreira pode corrigir alguns erros da partida anterior e fazer mudanças no […]
AFC North 2025 preview, plus examining Bengals rookie holdout
Inside: Key questions, breakout players and positions to watch in the AFC North, plus a look at the Bengals rookie holdout situation.This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.AFC North PreviewWould you be surprised to learn that the Browns have never won this division?Over 35 years have passed since Cleveland last won any division, the longest active streak in the NFL. (And the longest streak in league history, I believe. I won’t confirm for the sake of Browns fans). The team’s four quarterbacks are unlikely to change that in 2025.Since the AFC North was realigned in 2002, the Steelers lead the way with nine division titles. Baltimore has eight, including last season’s, while the Bengals have six. Here’s how they finished in 2024:Our latest 2025 division preview covers a group […]
Marina Mabrey’s Foul on Caitlin Clark Upgraded to Flagrant-2, But No Suspensions
<!--> The WNBA has upgraded the technical foul on Connecticut's Marina Mabrey for shoving Caitlin Clark to the floor during Tuesday night's game against Indiana to a Flagrant-2, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.Any flagrant foul comes with an automatic fine. The person also said the league has fined the Fever's Sophie Cunningham for her role in the on-court melee that occurred after she fouled Jacy Sheldon with 46.1 seconds left. Cunningham received a Flagrant-2 Tuesday night.There will be no further penalties for on-court actions during the game, the person said. The WNBA doesn't disclose the amount of money players are fined.The play at the end of the game was the culmination of tensions that had been building throughout.[MORE: Scuffle […]
Zico sinaliza Luiz Araújo como trunfo do Flamengo no Mundial de Clubes: “Filipe Luís confia nele”
Luiz Araújo celebra gol no Mundial de Clubes (Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo) Galinho fez questão de enaltecer capacidade do camisa 7 em atuar pelos lados e também participar de tramas ofensivas no meio-campo Zico, antes da bola rolar em Flamengo x Chelsea, enalteceu um dos trunfos do Rubro-Negro no confronto. Cada vez mais consolidado entre os titulares, Luiz Araújo assumiu o protagonismo contra o Espérance ao fornecer assistência para Arrascaeta e também balançar as redes. Neste cenário, o maior ídolo do clube carioca avalia que a confiança de Filipe Luís vem sendo decisiva para o rendimento do atacante. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Para qualquer jogador é sempre bom a confiança que o treinador dá. Então, o Filipe (Luís) confia muito nele, isso já não é de agora. A partir do momento que ele se recuperou bem, porque no início ele jogava e tinha […]
Kaleb Glenn injury: Michigan State’s top-rated transfer to miss 2025-26 season due to torn patellar tendon
Getty Images Tom Izzo and Michigan State will not have one of their top-rated incoming transfers next season after former Florida Atlantic wing Kaleb Glenn suffered a torn patellar tendon during a shooting drill. The injury is expected to sideline Glenn for the 2025-26 campaign, according to Justin Thind of Spartan Tailgate.One of the three transfers for the Spartans' incoming 2025 class, Glenn is the highest rated among the group. The four-star small forward ranked as the No. 81 overall transfer prospect and No. 15 at this position in the portal class. Glenn committed to Michigan State in April with interest from Indiana, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. Glenn was one of the top players for FAU last season down the stretch, finishing as the leading scorer with 12.6 points per game. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound sophomore added 4.8 rebounds per game […]
Be the first to leave a comment