The San Francisco Giants acquired three-time All-Star Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, a shocking commerce that despatched a participant Boston as soon as thought of a franchise cornerstone to a San Francisco workforce needing an offensive infusion.
Boston obtained left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, right-hander Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and Rookie League right-hander Jose Bello.
The Purple Sox introduced the deal Sunday night.
The Giants will cowl the rest of Devers’ contract, which runs by way of 2033 and pays him greater than $250 million, sources instructed ESPN.
The commerce ends the fractured relationship between Devers and the Purple Sox that had degraded since spring coaching, when Devers balked at transferring off third base — the place the place he had spent his entire profession — after the signing of free agent Alex Bregman. The Purple Sox gave no forewarning to Devers, who expressed frustration earlier than relenting and agreeing to be their designated hitter.
After a season-ending harm to first baseman Triston Casas in early Could, the Purple Sox requested Devers to maneuver to first base. He declined, suggesting the entrance workplace “ought to do their jobs” and discover one other participant after the group instructed him throughout spring coaching he could be the DH for the rest of the season. The day after Devers’ feedback, Purple Sox proprietor John Henry, president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas Metropolis, the place Boston was enjoying, to speak with Devers.
Within the weeks since, Devers’ refusal to play first led to inside pressure and helped facilitate the deal, sources mentioned.
San Francisco pounced — and added a power to an offense that ranks fifteenth in runs scored in Main League Baseball. Devers, 28, is hitting .272/.401/.504 with 15 house runs and 58 RBIs, tied for the third most in MLB. Over his nine-year profession, Devers is hitting .279/.349/.509 with 215 house runs and 696 RBIs in 1,053 video games.
Boston believed sufficient in Devers to offer him a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension in January 2023. He rewarded the Purple Sox with a Silver Slugger that season and made his third All-Star workforce in 2024.
Whether or not he slots in at designated hitter or first base with San Francisco — the Giants signed Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million deal final yr — is unknown. However San Francisco sought Devers extra for his bat, one which instantly makes the Giants — who’re combating for Nationwide League West supremacy with the Los Angeles Dodgers — a greater workforce.
To take action, the Giants gave a package deal of younger expertise and took on the contract a number of groups’ fashions had as underwater. Harrison, 23, is the prize of the deal, significantly for a Purple Sox workforce replete with younger hitting expertise however ravenous for younger pitching. As soon as thought of the most effective pitching prospects in baseball, Harrison has shuttled between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento this season.
Harrison, who was scratched from a deliberate begin towards the Dodgers on Sunday evening, has a 4.48 ERA over 182⅔ innings since debuting with the Giants in 2023. He has struck out 178, walked 62 and allowed 30 house runs. The Purple Sox optioned Harrison to Triple-A Worcester after the commerce was introduced.
Hicks, 28, who has toggled between starter and reliever since signing for 4 years and $44 million with the Giants earlier than the 2024 season, is on the injured record due to proper toe irritation. One of many hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball, Hicks has a 6.47 ERA over 48⅔ innings this season. He may be part of the Purple Sox’s ailing bullpen, which chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has sought to improve.
Tibbs, 22, was chosen by the Giants with the thirteenth general decide in final yr’s draft out of Florida State. A 6-foot, 200-pound nook outfielder, Tibbs has spent the season at Excessive-A, the place he hit .245/.377/.480 with 12 house runs and 32 RBIs in 56 video games. Scouts laud his command of the strike zone — he has 41 walks and 45 strikeouts in 252 plate appearances — however query whether or not his swing will translate at increased ranges.
Bello, 20, has spent the season as a reliever for the Giants’ Rookie League affiliate. In 18 innings, he has struck out 28 and walked three, posting a 2.00 ERA.
The deal is the pigskin sport by which Boston shipped a participant central to the franchise. Earlier than the 2020 season, Boston traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers — a yr after he gained American League MVP and led Boston to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Sequence title.
Devers was a part of that World Sequence-winning workforce in 2018 and led the Purple Sox in RBIs every season from 2020 to 2024, garnering AL MVP votes every of the previous 4 years. Devers had been with the Purple Sox since 2013, when he signed as a world novice free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He debuted 4 years later at 20.
Boston is banking on its younger expertise to exchange Devers’ manufacturing. The Purple Sox repeatedly play 4 rookies — infielders Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narvaez — and infielder Franklin Arias and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia are anticipated to contribute within the coming years.