Devers
Michael Hahn
July 03, 2025
Things seemed to be trending upwards. The Red Sox swept a three-game series with their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees. The Sox had won 7 of their last 8 games. Our future was so bright, we had to wear shades. Then the team stunned Red Sox Nation by trading away their best hitter, Rafael Devers, a homegrown, three-time All-Star. During his final game as a Red Sox, Devers hit his 15th home run of the season and his 500th career extra-base hit. After the trade, the Red Sox lost 6 of their next 9 games. They’ve scored 4 runs in their last 19 innings.
Unfortunately we’ve seen this show before. The Red Sox traded Mookie Betts in 2020 and Xander Bogaerts in 2022. The Red Sox owners, secure in their knowledge that Fenway Park will continue to draw lucrative crowds even if the team is inferior, seem more interested in investing in their other sports ventures rather than the Red Sox roster. They saved $254 million by unloading Devers’ contract, and I believe that the financial implications played a part in their decision to trade him, but there were other factors involved. Unhappy about being replaced as a third baseman, Devers was a disgruntled DH who refused to play first base. His unwillingness to sacrifice his desires for the good of the team was potentially damaging to the impressionable, younger players on the roster. Maybe there’s a silver lining to this cloud.
The Red Sox received four players from the San Francisco Giants in the Devers trade. Righty pitcher Jordan Hicks, 28, is expected to reinforce the Red Sox bullpen right away. Lefty pitcher Kyle Harrison, 23, didn’t excel in his debut at Triple-A Worcester, but he projects to become a starting pitcher at the big league level. Outfielder James Tibbs, who was the #4 prospect in the Giants system, shows promise as a power hitter at Double-A Portland. Righty pitcher Jose Bello, 20, will have an opportunity to work his way up through the minor leagues.
These players should help the team, but the only way that trading Devers becomes a good deal is if the Red Sox productively reinvest the $254 million that they saved. They need to acquire a stud, #2 starting pitcher to complement ace starter Garret Crochet and closer Adonis Chapman. Immediately, if they want to overcome their 7-game deficit to the Yankees.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue.
Unfortunately we’ve seen this show before. The Red Sox traded Mookie Betts in 2020 and Xander Bogaerts in 2022. The Red Sox owners, secure in their knowledge that Fenway Park will continue to draw lucrative crowds even if the team is inferior, seem more interested in investing in their other sports ventures rather than the Red Sox roster. They saved $254 million by unloading Devers’ contract, and I believe that the financial implications played a part in their decision to trade him, but there were other factors involved. Unhappy about being replaced as a third baseman, Devers was a disgruntled DH who refused to play first base. His unwillingness to sacrifice his desires for the good of the team was potentially damaging to the impressionable, younger players on the roster. Maybe there’s a silver lining to this cloud.
The Red Sox received four players from the San Francisco Giants in the Devers trade. Righty pitcher Jordan Hicks, 28, is expected to reinforce the Red Sox bullpen right away. Lefty pitcher Kyle Harrison, 23, didn’t excel in his debut at Triple-A Worcester, but he projects to become a starting pitcher at the big league level. Outfielder James Tibbs, who was the #4 prospect in the Giants system, shows promise as a power hitter at Double-A Portland. Righty pitcher Jose Bello, 20, will have an opportunity to work his way up through the minor leagues.
These players should help the team, but the only way that trading Devers becomes a good deal is if the Red Sox productively reinvest the $254 million that they saved. They need to acquire a stud, #2 starting pitcher to complement ace starter Garret Crochet and closer Adonis Chapman. Immediately, if they want to overcome their 7-game deficit to the Yankees.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue.
Have a story?
Let's hear it!
(802) 757-2773
(603) 787-2444
news@thebridgeweekly.com