There’s been a significant development, happening more than a month ahead of the MLB trading deadline.
“Significant” might even be an understatement.
In a surprising move, the Boston Red Sox sent slugger Raphael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. In return, Boston received left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, minor leaguer James Tibbs, and rookie ball pitcher Jose Bello.
This major trade has certainly stirred things up across the league.
Now, let’s break down the winners and losers.
Winner: San Francisco Giants
Initially, one could argue that the Giants emerged as the clear victors in this trade.
As the 2025 MLB season approached, the Giants were not expected to make the playoffs, ranked a lowly 22nd by ESPN with a forecast of 80-82. They had a 24.6% chance of making the postseason, and only a slim 0.6% chance of reaching the World Series.
Fast forward to June 16th, and the Giants are now 10 games over .500 with a record of 41-31, just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. If the playoffs began today, they’d be in.
Adding Devers into their lineup could significantly boost their offensive presence, as he has the potential to hit 30 or more home runs. Although there are concerns about how his left-handed swing will fare at Oracle Park, his impressive patience at the plate (ranking second in MLB in walks, 12th in OPS, and 6th in on-base percentage) may enhance the lineup considerably.
Loser: Red Sox Fans
It’s been a tough 12 hours for fans of the Red Sox.
Can you blame them if they feel a bit wounded? After witnessing the trade of Mookie Betts, they now see Devers, a crucial figure in their lineup, heading out of Boston.
Is there context behind this move? Possibly. According to some sources, Devers’ “attitude” may have played a role in this decision, with the front office possibly believing that his departure is for the best.
However, it’s not that simple. For Devers, the loss of Betts was one thing, but watching the team pursue Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman—only to ultimately add Bregman—didn’t help his situation at all.
“Third base is my position,” Devers told reporters before spring training. “That’s what I’ve played. I’m not sure what their plans are. We had a conversation about it, and I made my feelings clear.”
He kicked off the season as a designated hitter, but when Triston Casas was sidelined for the season due to a knee injury, it seemed like there would be an opportunity for him to return to the field.
But after days of speculation, Devers put an end to that.
“They spoke with me,” Devers said regarding a meeting he had with the team through translator Daveson Perez back in early May. “Personally, I think asking me to play another position isn’t the best decision. I’ve only played this position for two months, and suddenly I’m supposed to switch? That doesn’t seem right.”
This led to a crucial meeting in Kansas City between Red Sox owner John Henry and the front office.
“It was a chance for open and honest dialogue,” Craig Breslow noted about his conversation with Devers. “We discovered some miscommunication and had the opportunity to clarify things. I hope it made a difference.”
Apparently, that was not enough.
Now Devers is with San Francisco, leaving Red Sox fans pondering the future of the organization.
Winner: Young Talent in Boston
This could signal a new direction for Boston.
Before the Devers trade, the Red Sox struggled to find a spot for two of the top prospects in baseball. Just last week, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony got their chance. Following an impressive sweep of the New York Yankees, Mayer and Anthony had a combined total of just 10 at-bats, yet the sweep brought Boston within 6.5 games of the Yankees in the AL East and just a half-game from a wild card position.
By trading Devers, Boston opens up playtime for these budding stars.
This could also be advantageous for Yoshida Tayama. Injuries had limited his role to designated hitter, but this move may pave the way for him to contribute more in the outfield.
Loser: Los Angeles Dodgers
If the Giants weren’t already a surprising threat to the Dodgers, they certainly are now.
Inserting Devers, with a slash line of .272/.401/.504 into San Francisco’s lineup, greatly enhances their offensive capabilities. While they might still need to bolster their starting rotation as the trade deadline approaches, this addition significantly strengthens their position.
With an impressive bullpen already in place, San Francisco now appears to be a serious contender.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are also gaining momentum. Shohei Ohtani made his first start on the mound after being restricted to designated hitting due to surgeries on his throwing elbow last season. This is significant for Los Angeles.
Winner: NBC Sports Bay Area/NESN
And let’s not forget the broadcasting schedule…
Boston is set for a West Coast series, where they’ll face the Mariners, Angels, and, notably, the Giants. Starting Friday, the Red Sox will play a three-game set in San Francisco over the weekend.
These games are definitely not to be missed.
