Rafael Devers continues to prove why the Boston Red Sox’s decision to trade the three-time All-Star last month was the right one.
Devers did all he could to wear out his welcome in Boston this year. Yet, for a player so talented, an organization is often willing to embrace the pros and cons of a difficult athlete if they help win games. The Red Sox did that with Manny Ramirez during his eight-year stint in Beantown. However, in the front office’s eyes, the negatives that came with Devers began to outweigh the positives.
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Trading him to San Francisco last month received a lot of blowback in the Red Sox fan base. However, the 28-year-old continues to make the decision seem like the right one. This week, ESPN Red Sox announcer Will Flemming revealed that in his second day with the Giants, Devers blew off a training session with team great Will Clark to get tips on playing first base.
That could easily just be a rumor. However, the six-time All-Star actually confirmed that story in a recent appearance on the No Filter Network.
“Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out early at all. Period, not all,” Clark said. “In fact, he didn’t even hit on the field. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Will. I’m so sorry.’”
- Rafael Devers stats (2025): .264 AVG, .391 OBP, .476 SLG, .867 OPS, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 54 R
The Giants legend said he actually understood why Devers did not come out early to take grounders. They were playing the Red Sox those days. And it would have meant practicing in front of his old team at the position he refused to play a month prior. While that makes sense, the fact that he could not convey that message to team officials or Clark doesn’t make him look good.
Rafael Devers originally refused a move from third base to DH in the spring after the team inked Alex Bregman to a huge deal in free agency. Then, when Tristan Casas went down earlier this season, he again refused a move to first base to fill in.
Boston lost a very talented hitter by trading Devers. But they likely avoided a bunch more headaches in the years ahead.
