AP’s San Francisco When Rafael Devers spoke to the Boston media for the first time since his unexpected trade from the Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants five days ago, he had a recurring theme.
When asked about his tenure with the Red Sox and why their relationship soured so severely this season that the team dealt him less than two years into a 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed in 2023, Devers repeatedly stated on Friday that the past is in the past.
When asked last month why he would tell Red Sox supporters that he is willing to play first base in San Francisco after declining to do so with the team, Devers did share one piece of information.
Through an interpreter, he stated, “I would say that I have put some good numbers up over in Boston.” I do believe that I have gained some respect, in my opinion. Yes, I would have played (first) if they had asked me at the start of spring training.
After the Red Sox asked Devers to transition to DH after signing Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman during spring training, Devers’ relationship with the team started to sour. The Red Sox asked Devers to play when first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury, but he said the front office should do their jobs and find another player.
Red Sox owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow traveled to Kansas City to speak with Devers and manager Alex Cora a day after Devers told the public that he would play first.
Devers’ position remained unchanged, and he was ultimately dealt to San Francisco. He claimed that there was nothing he would have done differently during his time in Boston.
He said, “I put up good numbers over there.” I always gave it my all.
After failing in their attempt to get a big hitter for the middle of the lineup in free agency, the Giants were pleased to acquire Devers. In his first three games as a designated hitter for San Francisco, Devers went 3 for 11 with two walks and an RBI.
As soon as he feels comfortable, he would be pleased to play at first base, where he has begun working out.
He stated, “That is not a position that you’re going to learn how to play overnight,” as I had previously stated. I just need to keep practicing there.
In his initial days with the Giants, Devers claimed to be as content as he has been in years. He also relished the chance to visit some of his Red Sox buddies when the club arrived in town on Thursday night.
He said, “It’s been a few busy days.” This seems like a long week. However, I was glad to be able to see my pals yesterday. I’m overjoyed.
Devers stated that he would speak with Cora on the field this weekend when he had the opportunity, but he had nothing positive or negative to say about him.
Though he didn’t think it was necessary to clarify how his time in Boston ended, Cora acknowledged that it would be hard to confront Devers so soon after the trade.
It’s a trade. It’s baseball. Cora stated that it is a business. That is the way it operates. He isn’t the first person to be traded. He is not the final player to be traded. Communication, first base, DH, third base, the manager, general manager, owners, and so on are all topics of discussion. It’s a deal in baseball. I turned the page on my end.
In 2017, Devers made his major league debut with the Red Sox at the age of 20. He led the Red Sox in RBIs for five straight seasons from 2020 to 24 and contributed to the team’s victory in the 2018 World Series. Five times, he has placed in the top 20 of the AL MVP voting.
The Giants are the only team in the major leagues without a batter who has hit 30 home runs since Barry Bonds’ 45-homer season in 2004. Three times, Devers has hit at least thirty home runs.
Devers is not the first Red Sox All-Star to be dealt away; just one year after winning the AL MVP award and leading Boston to a franchise-record 108 wins and its fourth World Series since 2004, the team sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a salary dump before to the 2020 season.
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