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The Boston Red Sox’s decision to trade Rafael Devers sparked an intriguing reaction from Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortz on Monday.
The Red Sox stunningly traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players, including Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks. The deal marked the end of a saga between the front office and Devers, which started when Boston signed Alex Bregman.
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Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers, #11, rounds third base en route to scoring during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on April 26, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
The Red Sox asked Devers to move from third base – an ask he refused. When Triston Casas got hurt, Devers also was not going to move to first base. Red Sox manager Alex Cora even referred to Devers as his designated hitter.
The issue started a snowball effect that ended with Boston trading Devers to the National League West team. Ortiz told The Athletic he knew the situation with Devers “wasn’t going to end well,” but seemed to suggest Devers lacked “maturity” in the situation.
“I played for the Red Sox a long time. You think everything with me and the Red Sox was roses and flowers? I went through some tough times also,” he said. “But I was mature enough to understand and keep things internal. Even in the best families, between the best brothers, s— happens. You need to have the maturity to resolve the problems and move on.”
Former Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Boston on Sept. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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Ortiz said that, in the end, it is the organization that has the power to make the final decision regardless of how much money it still owes the player.
“I know the communication between Devers and the Red Sox wasn’t the best at the very beginning,” Ortiz added. “But at some point, you have to realize the organization has the power over everyone. They can play you, trade you, let you go.
“Sometimes, as a young player, it’s hard to understand that. But they have the power to do whatever they want. The only thing you can control is what you do on the field.”
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers, #11, hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Fenway Park in Boston on May 20, 2025. (Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images)
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Devers was hitting .272 with a .905 OPS and 15 home runs. He was leading the American League in walks with 56 and had played the most games in the majors (73).
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