A former MLB general manager is pulling no punches on the Boston Red Sox for trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.
Boston shocked the baseball world Sunday night, shipping Devers and the remaining $250 million on his contract to San Francisco for pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks and prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello. The move comes after months of drama surrounding the franchise and the three-time All-Star.
The tension started in spring training after Boston signed third baseman Alex Bregman without informing Devers, who initially refused to move off the hot corner before acquiescing and becoming the team’s designated hitter. The sides clashed again when Devers refused to move to first base after Triston Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury. Owner John Henry had to fly to Kansas City to resolve the conflict with Devers.
During an appearance on the “Foul Territory” podcast, The Athletic’s MLB insider Jim Bowden, former general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, took the Red Sox to task for shipping Devers out of Boston.
“I don’t care how you dice this thing up. He’s a superstar player and worth the contract he’s getting paid, by the way,” Bowden said. “And you’re going to dump him and trade him because, why? Because you didn’t handle the offseason right when you signed Alex Bregman and you didn’t talk to him. And then you flew to see him and you were mad because he wouldn’t play first base. I don’t understand this and I don’t understand how the Red Sox can keep doing this with their star players.”
Three GMs told @JimBowdenGM that the Red Sox never called them about Rafael Devers. 😳
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 16, 2025
"I don't understand how the Red Sox can keep doing this with their star players." pic.twitter.com/Jw2avUIh8X
Devers becomes the fourth star player Boston has let go over the last five seasons. They traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, let Xander Bogaerts walk in free agency, and sent Cy Young winner Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves.
Bowden added that Boston didn’t reach out to other teams to inform them that Devers was available.
“For the Red Sox, I just scratch my head. You didn’t even shop the player. I texted with three GMs this morning who texted me and said they never even called them. Are you kidding me?” Bowden said. “I got to tell you guys, I’m just disgusted. I’m disgusted.”
The Red Sox will face San Francisco on Friday to begin a three-game series against Devers and the Giants. Following an 0-for-19 start to the season, Devers is slashing .272/.401/.504 with 15 home runs, 18 doubles, 47 runs scored, 58 RBI, a 152 OPS+, and 2.3 bWAR.
More About:MLB