The Boston Red Sox have traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a blockbuster deal on June 15th, according to MLB insider Robert Murray on X. In return, the Red Sox are receiving right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jose Bello, and outfielder James Tibbs III.

Devers was the final remaining player of the 2018 Red Sox team that won a franchise record 108 games, as well as the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former Red Sox spent nine seasons with the team, making three all-star appearances and winning two Silver Sluggers while he set numerous records for the ball club.

For most of his tenure with Boston, Devers was the team’s third baseman and soon became the face of the franchise after the departure of Mookie Betts. In 2023, he signed a 10-year contract worth $313M, the richest deal in team history. Despite struggling at the beginning of the season, Devers has been heating up recently, posting a .271/.400/.504 slashline, and leading the league in walks with 56.

The story changed after the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a 3-year contract worth $120M, and asked Devers to become the everyday designated hitter. Despite being a below-average defender at his position, Devers took offense to the request, but reluctantly made the transition.

After first baseman Triston Casas was ruled out for the rest of the season, the team went back to Devers about another position change to fill in, but he refused, sticking to the position the team had already given him.

The relationship between Devers and the entire organization soured, escalating to the point of Devers ignoring messages sent to him by Red Sox legend David Ortiz. While the departure was not unexpected for fans, it was still shocking to the league.. This comes on the heels of the Red Sox winning eight of their last ten games, and coming off a sweep of the New York Yankees.

The return for the veteran slugger includes two prospects in Tibbs III and Bello, with Hicks being ready to join the major league club, and Harrison being sent down to triple-A.

Red Sox fans won’t have to wait long until they face Devers and the Giants for the first time, as the two teams play a three-game series starting June 16th at 10:15 PM.