Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox and Xander Bogaerts, left, in the dugout during the fourth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays
Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images
MLB

Giants Pitcher Kyle Harrison Finds Out He’s Been Traded Moments Before Taking The Mound, As Rafael Devers Deal Sends Shock Waves Across MLB

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The San Francisco Giants have acquired 2x Silver Slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitchers Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, along with prospects James Tibbs and Jose Bello.

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The timing of the trade was maybe the most surprising part of the blockbuster deal, as the news first broke when Harrison was warming up to take the mound vs. the LA Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball.

Many fans couldn't believe this deal was made, as Devers is a 3x All-Star and considered one of the best hitters in baseball. Ultimately, this isn't the first time the franchise made this kind of move, as fan-favorite Mookie Betts was dealt to the LA Dodgers prior to the 2020 season.

To note, newly acquired Kyle Harrison, 23, has appeared in eight games this season and currently has a 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP; Jordan Hicks, 28, has a 6.47 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.

Yet, this certainly helps lighten Boston's payroll, as San Francisco will now take on Devers' massive 10-year/$313.5 million contract, which was signed back in December 2023.

In view of the internal conflict between Devers and the Red Sox, it seemed to be growing ever since the organization traded for third baseman Alex Bregman this past offseason, which then moved the 28-year-old slugger to a DH role. Then, following a season-ending injury to Triston Casas, manager Alex Cora wanted Devers to play first base.

Devers spoke on this during a May interview, "In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove... I wasn't going to play another position other than DH. Right now, I don't think it would be an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position."

Per Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, the trade was correlated to Devers refusing his assigned role as a first baseman.

"The team's feeling was that a $313.5M contract comes with responsibilities to do what is right for the team and that Devers did not live up to those responsibilities. They had enough and they traded him."

In storybook fashion, Devers' last at-bat in a Red Sox uniform was a home run vs. the rival New York Yankees.

To point out, since his debut in 2017 Devers has 10 more home runs than any other player vs. the Yankees, which means there may be a sigh of relief in the Bronx.

GM Buster Posey hopes the addition of Devers into the Giants (41-31) lineup, will electrify the team in helping them contend in the highly-contested NL West.

Currently in his ninth season, Devers has a career .272 batting average to go with 215 home runs and 696 RBI's. Not to mention, he has an astounding 24.8 Wins Above Replacement, which is a lot more than the other four players involved in the deal (combined 2,7 WAR).

In updated news, as the 2018 World Series Champion Devers exits Boston, the Red Sox have already optioned the former No. 1 LHP prospect out of De La Salle, Harrison, to Triple-A prior to his arrival.

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox and Xander Bogaerts, left, in the dugout during the fourth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays

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