It has been just over a year since the Boston Red Sox dealt third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, and in hindsight, the trade appears to have worked out poorly for both franchises. Boston has already moved on from every piece it received in the deal, while San Francisco is now reportedly looking into trading Devers after a disastrous season.
Recent reports indicate the Giants are trying to unload several massive contracts, with Devers included among them. That development could end up haunting the Red Sox, especially with an American League East rival now showing interest. The Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to Devers, with analyst Zachary D. Rymer calling Toronto the best possible landing spot.
Rymer noted that Devers has been far more effective as a designated hitter, posting an .841 OPS in that role compared to a .662 OPS when playing first base. Meanwhile, Toronto’s DH production has been a major weakness, as George Springer has struggled to recapture form after a strong comeback season in 2025. That decline has weighed heavily on an already underwhelming Blue Jays offense.
What would make the situation even more painful for Boston fans is Devers’ track record in Toronto. He has a .979 OPS at Rogers Centre, and the idea of seeing him return to Fenway Park multiple times per season in a division rival’s uniform would be especially difficult to accept.
Boston’s Return for Devers Quickly Fell Apart
In exchange for Devers, the Red Sox received Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, and James Tibbs. None of those players remain in the organization today.
Hicks logged the most time in Boston, appearing in 21 games out of the bullpen during the 2025 season. His performance was rough, as he posted an 8.20 ERA across 18.2 innings while struggling with control. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in February, where his issues have continued.
The handling of Harrison is far more painful in retrospect. Boston kept him mostly in Triple-A while attempting to tweak his pitch mix, limiting him to just three major league appearances. He was later included in a trade and has since flourished with the Milwaukee Brewers, emerging as a Cy Young contender with a 2.47 ERA and elite strikeout numbers.
Tibbs never reached the majors with Boston and was dealt at the deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dustin May. May struggled badly during his time with the Red Sox before eventually moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, Tibbs has risen into the Dodgers’ top prospect ranks.
Devers Struggles in San Francisco
The Giants as a whole have endured a miserable season, but Devers’ performance has been one of the most frustrating aspects. He is batting .235 with a .293 on-base percentage, a .413 slugging percentage, and a .706 OPS. Despite nine home runs and 21 doubles, his overall production has fallen well short of expectations.
For his career, Devers owns an .846 OPS and averages roughly 33 home runs over a full 162-game season, making the decline especially concerning.
Compounding the issue is his contract. Devers is signed through the 2033 season at $28.5 million per year. If his regression is legitimate, that deal could quickly become a burden, particularly for a player likely to shift into a full-time DH role later in his career. That reality could make him difficult for the Giants to move.
From Boston’s perspective, the Red Sox may have avoided being tied to a potentially problematic long-term contract. Still, given how little value they ultimately extracted from the trade, it remains a painful example of how badly the situation unfolded for both sides.