3-time World Series Champion David Ortiz gets real on Red Sox parting ways with Rafael Devers

Hunter Cookston

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3-time World Series Champion David Ortiz gets real on Red Sox parting ways with Rafael Devers image

One of the biggest storylines early in the season was the complete disconnect between Rafael Devers and the Red Sox. The situation was messy from start to finish, largely because Devers felt misled by the organization.

“Devers, according to a person familiar with his thinking, felt 'lied to and betrayed' by the Red Sox. Cora, long one of Devers' chief supporters and advocates, supported his expulsion. Craig Breslow, the Red Sox's chief baseball officer whom Devers publicly badmouthed amid the hostility, played hatchet man,” MLB’s Jeff Passan wrote.

As a result, Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants.

“The Red Sox had just pulled off a three-game sweep of the rival Yankees for their seventh win in the last eight games and were getting ready for a Sunday night West Coast trip to Seattle when one of the most stunningly timed trades in team history took place. Star slugger Rafael Devers, the lone remaining player from the team’s most recent World Series title squad of 2018, was dealt to the Giants for righty Jordan Hicks, lefty Kyle Harrison and a pair of prospects in outfielder James Tibbs III (Giants No. 4 prospect at the time of the deal) and righty Jose Bello,” MLB.com’s Ian Browne wrote.

During an interview on the ITM Podcast, David Ortiz shared why Devers’ time in Boston came to an end.

“To who? To Raffy? No, we haven't. We haven't talked. I mean, I'm always busy with my own thing. And he got to continue doing his job, which I congratulate him on because he finished the season really good. I mean, that's the Raffy that we all know. And like I say, if he ever needs advice from me or anything he needs from me, I'm open. He's a good kid. But like I say, business is business. As a player, you have to do what you're told. Those were the issues at the moment, and that happens,” Ortiz told Joey Copponi and Scott Neville on the "ITM Podcast" on Friday.

It was clear that Devers was doing the opposite of what the organization expected. As a player, that is the fastest way to make yourself tradable.

It didn’t make much sense, though, as Devers adapted to playing first base as soon as he arrived in San Francisco. Overall, it was an interesting case, one Ortiz feels was largely the result of Devers refusing to listen.

As part of his fundraising efforts, Ortiz is holding a silent auction loaded with priceless items that will be live until Saturday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET. You can also donate to the cause on the David Ortiz Children's Fund's website.

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