NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout … More
The San Francisco Giants are going all in as they try to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
The Giants have obtained slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a multiple-player trade.
As of Sunday night, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, and lefty Kyle Harrison are headed to the Giants.
It has been reported by CBS Sports that two minor league players will be included in the deal to complete the trade.
Those minor league players appear to be outfielder/first base prospect James Tibbs, and right-handed pitching prospect Jose Bello.
The trade has not been confirmed as of this writing.
The Giants will take on the remainder of Devers contract.
The left-handed hitting Devers, 28, signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract in 2024.
In his final game with the Red Sox Sunday, Devers hit his 15th home run in the 5th inning of the Red Sox 2-0 victory.
Devers left the Red Sox with a .272 batting average.
Devers entered his final game with Boston having gone 2-18 in his last five games.
Devers and the Red Sox front office have been at odds from the moment the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract.
Bregman is an outstanding defensive third baseman, which is the position Devers had played during his nine season tenure with the Red Sox.
Bregman is currently on the Injured List with a strained quad injury.
However, Devers is not as accomplished at third base as Bregman, and the team wanted Devers to either move to first base, or become their permanent designated hitter.
Devers balked at the thought of leaving the only position he has ever played, and constant conversations ensued with the Red Sox front office.
Devers has not played third base at all this season. He had been the Red Sox primary designated hitter. He played no first base, even when the team’s regular first baseman, Triston Casas went down with a severe knee injury that required surgery.
It is not immediately known how Devers fits into the Giants plans. But what is known is that the Giants regular third baseman, Matt Chapman is on the Injured List with a sprained hand.
Right-handed hitting Casey Schmitt, 26, has gotten playing time at third base in Chapman’s absence.
Devers may slot at third base until Chapman returns. Or, the Giants may ask Devers to play first base, where left-handed hitting Dominic Smith is now the regular starter.
Or, the Giants may ask Devers to be their designated hitter, which will bring Devers right back into the situation he fought against with Boston.
DETROIT, MI – MAY 26: Jordan Hicks #12 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the pitchers mound … More
Hicks, 28, was a 3rd round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015.
Basically a reliever with the Cardinals, the Cardinals traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30, 2023.
Hicks became a free agent at the end of that season, and signed with the Giants on January 18, 2024.
The Giants converted Hicks to a starter, although he has been working more in relief since mid-May.
Hicks last pitched for the Giants on June 1, when he worked in relief against the Miami Marlins, in a 4-2 Giants win.
The 6-2, 217 Hicks leaves the Giants with a record of 1-5, with a 6.47 ERA, and 1.54 WHIP in 48.2 innings pitched.
The Red Sox just swept the Yankees in a three-game series in Boston, giving life to their chances to play postseason baseball.
They obviously feel bolstering their pitching depth with a versatile pitcher like Jordan Hicks will help.
Hicks throws a 97 miles per hour fastball, a slider, and a split-finger in his repertoire.
Hicks is working on a four-year contract, which pays him a total of $44 million through 2027.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 30: Kyle Harrison #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Miami … More
The 6-2, 209 pound Harrison was a 3rd round pick of the Giants in the 2020 draft.
He may be the prize of the trade from the Red Sox perspective.
Harrison has appeared in eight games this year for the Giants, with four of them starts. Like Hicks, Harrison has seen time coming out of the bullpen.
Harrison has thrown to a 4.56 ERA, and 1.26 WHIP in 23.2 innings for San Francisco.
Harrison has shown great promise, and it is likely the Red Sox will define his role in time.
Harrison will not qualify for free agency until 2030, so the Red Sox have outstanding control of his contract.
Harrison has a four-pitch mix, with a mid-90’s four-seam fastball, a curve, a changeup, and a slider. His slider has not been used in his last three outings.
It remains to be seen where Devers plays for the Giants, and if their new pitchers will add any buzz to the current Red Sox surge.
This is clearly a developing story, with the fallout to come.
