Aksel Kryhlmand
Giants manager Bob Melvin called the trade “something we really needed,”
In one of the most stunning midseason trades in recent MLB history, the San Francisco Giants have acquired All-Star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox.
Heading the other way is a package including left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, right-hander Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III, and minor league righty Jose Bello.
A Major Shift for Both Clubs
The deal comes in the thick of the season, with both teams in playoff contention but operating under very different strategies. The Giants, just a game behind the Dodgers in the NL West, have long been searching for a power bat to anchor the middle of their lineup, and now they have one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats.
So far in 2025, Devers has hit 15 home runs and posted a .401 OBP, well above his career average of .349.
He has also dramatically increased his walk rate, ranking second in MLB only behind Juan Soto, a development that elevates his offensive value to new heights.
Designated Hitter Role Awaits
With Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman locked in at third base, Devers won’t return to his longtime defensive home. First base is a possibility, but the most likely scenario sees him slotting in as a designated hitter, with Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith rotating at first.
Red Sox Clean House
The trade marks the end of a fractured relationship between Devers and the Red Sox, which had been deteriorating since spring training. After initially resisting a move to DH following the signing of Alex Bregman, Devers refused to shift to first base after an injury to Triston Casas. That standoff ultimately accelerated his exit.
Now Boston is betting big on its young core. Harrison, just 23, was once a top-rated pitching prospect and has shown promise despite inconsistency in the majors. J
ames Tibbs, Boston’s new outfield prospect, is hitting .245 with a .377 OBP in High-A ball, while Jose Bello has impressed in Rookie League with a 2.00 ERA.
Despite just sweeping the Yankees and winning seven of their last eight, the Red Sox are clearly looking toward a youth-driven reset, placing their faith in up-and-comers like Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell.
What the Giants Are Saying
Giants manager Bob Melvin called the trade “something we really needed”, while Buster Posey, now leading San Francisco’s baseball operations, said adding Devers gives them “one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball.”
Pitcher Logan Webb summed it up: “He changes the lineup. He’s a stud. Plain and simple.”