The San Francisco Giants turned Major League Baseball on their head by trading for Rafael Devers in a blockbuster deal with the Boston Red Sox.
The Giants are chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West, and San Francisco is looking to compete for a World Series. San Francisco is also trying to hold off the San Diego Padres.
After the trade, one Padres player spoke to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and was shocked by the move.
“I can’t believe it, you kidding me," one Padres player said. “I mean, I knew the Giants were looking for a first baseman, but Devers? Wow!”
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Devers is currently in the second year of his 10-year, $313.5 million deal. As part of the trade, San Francisco will take on his entire contract, as Devers will be a middle-of-the-order bat the Giants were missing.
The slugger will likely be the Giants’ DH but could also play third base for the time being with Matt Chapman on the IL.
Devers is currently hitting .272 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs this season. The slugger will likely be the Giants’ first 30-home run hitter since Barry Bonds in 2004. It comes at a time that San Francisco is holding onto a Wild Card spot and is just two games back of the Dodgers for the division lead.
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