Jun 1, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) shown in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Rafael Devers was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, and nearly a week later, he’s still catching flak.
Red Sox legend and Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz took to Instagram, calling Boston the “best organization in baseball” and lobbing what appeared to be a stray shot at Devers in the process.
“The thing is, to have someone like this at Boston you have to just not be a hitter, you have to be the whole package,” Ortiz posted, alongside a photo of his No. 34 statue at Fenway Park.
That felt like a direct jab from Big Papi, who, ironically, became famous as a designated hitter with remarkable power — but could more than hold his own at first base.
There’s no denying Devers is one of baseball’s best hitters. But dysfunction surrounding the Red Sox and Devers began over the winter, when Boston signed free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Defensively, Bregman is simply the better third baseman. But Devers refused to move off third throughout spring training — and declined when asked to transition to first base.
According to ESPN, Devers was surprised by the trade and “gobsmacked” when manager Alex Cora gave him the news. The report indicated Devers felt “lied to and betrayed” by the organization.
When Devers reported to spring training, the Red Sox approached him with the idea of becoming the designated hitter. The club’s analytics department presented data showing its best lineup featured Bregman at third base, prospect Kristan Campbell at second and Devers at DH. He was livid. From that moment, the relationship between Boston’s front office and one of the game’s brightest stars was fractured.
Devers grew up a Red Sox fan in the Dominican Republic and arrived in Boston as a hitting machine at just 20 years old. He seemed primed to join the legacy built by Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez — all Dominican icons. Nobody expected it would end this poorly, with one of the franchise’s legends throwing shade on Instagram.
At 28, Devers is still in the thick of his prime and remains under contract through 2033, when he will be 36. After the trade to the Giants, Devers praised San Francisco’s front office and expressed a willingness to play first base. Perhaps the trade caused a change of heart. But he won’t be making any new friends in Boston.
