Why the Red Sox-Giants Devers Swap Isn’t as Lopsided as You Think
Get ready to roll your eyes—former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette is here to save face, insisting the blockbuster deal sending Rafael Devers to San Francisco wasn’t Boston’s undoing. Per TMZ Sports, Duquette shrugged off the uproar that greeted Sunday night’s move, arguing that jettisoning a 28-year-old slugger who supposedly “didn’t want to be there” actually sends a heroic message to the Sox clubhouse: loyalty and attitude matter more than raw firepower.
Let’s cut through the spin. Yes, Devers mashed 30 homers last season and anchored a lineup that desperately needed thump. But Duquette—never one to shy from a headline—points to roughly $250 million in payroll relief, an eyebrow-raising figure that suddenly gives the front office room to breathe. ESPN’s payroll trackers confirm Boston was flirting with luxury tax hell, so parting with Devers may feel like trading a Ferrari for a sedan—but it also frees up spending for pitching upgrades or a fresh veteran bat. Financial flexibility is the new sexy.
Then there’s the haul the Red Sox snagged from the Giants: right-hander Kyle Harrison (MLB.com’s No. 23 overall prospect), flamethrower Jordan Hicks, plus two lower-level farmhands. Duquette claims that package “makes sense” for a club rebooting after a litany of underwhelming campaigns. Sure, if you’re craving instant gratification, high school and Single-A arms don’t scream “World Series contender” yet. But if you swallow the long-game Kool-Aid, these youngsters could morph into frontline pieces for years to come.
Meanwhile, Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy blew up on Instagram, bemoaning the timing and pleading for another month to possibly flip Devers at peak value. That meltdown suggests at least one loudmouth still thinks Boston should’ve held the bag—or maybe just wanted a public tantrum. And as for Fenway faithful lighting torches? Duquette sounds positively thrilled about handing future stars Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony a spotlight instead of a bench role. He’s betting on the next generation eclipsing Devers’ highlight reel.
In the end, Duquette’s hot take is equal parts plausible strategy and damage control. Boston keeps its bank account intact, injects youth into the system and dodges clubhouse disgruntlement—if you buy that narrative. Giants land a bonafide middle-of-the-order force to juggernaut their offense. So there you have it—a trade pitched as genius, yet half the town still sees a punch to the gut. Smell that? It’s future hype. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ Sports, Barstool Sports Instagram, MLB.com
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
