Red Sox Trade Star Rafael Devers to Giants for Four Players

The Boston Red Sox have once again traded a star player to a National League West team, sending Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants shortly after sweeping the New York Yankees. This trade drew immediate comparisons to the 2020 deal that sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and to Xander Bogaerts' free agency departure to the San Diego Padres, marking a dismantling of the Red Sox's core from their 2018 World Series-winning team. Mookie Betts, now with the Dodgers, expressed shock at the Devers trade, calling it "crazy," but stated he "genuinely doesn’t care" and acknowledged Devers will improve the Giants and the competitiveness of the NL West. The Red Sox received a package featuring young pitchers Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and prospects Jose Bello and James Tibbs III, which many view as a questionable return that may not pay off immediately. Critics and fans remain puzzled by Boston's direction, especially as the team has made the postseason only once in five years since the Betts trade. The move also appears motivated by financial considerations and roster adjustments, including Devers' resistance to moving off third base after the signing of Alex Bregman.