There are sure to be a wide range of opinions when it comes to the Boston Red Sox's decision to trade Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Most fans were vehemently opposed to the idea, but still others understood that perhaps the relationship between Devers and the Red Sox's front office was irreparable.
But it's safe to say that no one — not even the biggest Craig Breslow apologist — would give the Red Sox an A+ for the Devers deal. But New York Post columnist and MLB insider Jon Heyman gave Boston high marks for the trade, claiming that Boston got the best possible return they could have. What?!
Heyman called the former Red Sox slugger a malcontent — though he couched his comments by saying it may not have been his fault — and cited the fact that Devers was limited to just being a designated hitter. "I think they did great," Heyman said, "When you're just talking about the trade and that's all, I give them an A+."
Heyman mentioned that Boston finally landed Jordan Hicks (a player they targeted in free agency), picked up a former first-round draft pick (James Tibbs), and a former top-100 prospect (Kyle Harrison). All that may be true, but there were several other teams — at least the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves — who could've offered more.
Red Sox fans' jaws hit the floor after hearing MLB insider's Rafael Devers trade take
"I think [the Red Sox] did great. If you're just talking about the trade, and that's all, I give them an A+."
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) June 23, 2025
- @JonHeyman on the Rafael Devers trade https://t.co/ZiFJFD87wv pic.twitter.com/uXvrvro8NZ
Red Sox fans aren't stupid. There's no way anyone is going to convince the fans in Boston that the return from San Francisco was the absolute best that the Red Sox could've received in exchange for Devers. Was the Giants' deal the only one that completely wiped the books clean of Devers' contract? Perhaps, and that may have been the driving force behind this deal with San Fran.
Was the relationship irreconcilable? Maybe. Was this an A+ return for the Red Sox? Absolutely not. This was a deal that was made in the darkness of night with the intent of eliminating the remainder of Devers' contract.
If Boston — be it at the trade deadline or in the offseason — is able to reinvest the money they saved after dealing Devers to the Giants, then perhaps this deal will receive higher marks. But to give it an A+ based strictly on what the Red Sox received in exchange for a top-20 hitter is sheer madness.