"Communication" was one of the biggest buzzwords in Boston before the Red Sox traded former star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on June 15.
Both Devers and Breslow had their moments that led up to the trade, from not responding to texts from team legends to straight-up deception. Ultimately, the breakdown landed Devers in San Francisco, where he said he'd be willing to play first base.
But the slugger's immediate actions didn't reflect acceptance of a position change, nor improvements in his communication skills. The Giants summoned team legend and longtime first baseman Will Clark to give Devers some pointers at the opposite corner. Devers didn't show up on three different days.
"Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out at all. Period. Not at all," Clark said on the "Deuces Wild with Eric Byrnes and Will Clark" podcast.
Devers has caught plenty of criticism for no-showing on Clark, and rightfully so. It wouldn't take much to let Clark know he wouldn't be joining him on the field early, but his lack of communication with former players who hoped to give him advice is consistent with his ignorance of David Ortiz's text messages.
Rafael Devers no-showed first base exercises with Giants icon Will Clark during Red Sox series
But Clark also gave some critical context to Devers' absences — his first base training was supposed to begin during the Giants' series against the Red Sox.
"I know what the f--- happened. I said he didn't want to go out and be at first base and be 20 feet in front of their frickin' dugout with what went on in Boston and now he's working with me at first base," Clark said. "He didn't want to have to go through all that bulls--- through the press and the media. And so I completely understand."
Red Sox fans expected Devers to take up first base in San Francisco, and it's interesting to know that he didn't want to play there in front of his former team. But Devers could've easily mentioned that to Clark or the Giants organization instead of not showing up to his practice sessions.
Devers' lack of communication with Clark suggests there could have been more issues behind the scenes in the Red Sox organization than have been made public. Hopefully, for the Giants' sake, he's willing to learn first base with the Red Sox out of his life for another year — Devers needs this team to work out for him better than his last one.