The trade of Rafael Devers from the Red Sox to the Giants shook the entire baseball community. There were no warning signs, no lingering trade rumors. Just a sudden shift that left fans stunned and even Giants players speechless, including the Giants’ infielder Willy Adames as well.
Imagine you are about to pitch against the Dodgers, and find out that one of the most feared sluggers in the game, a cornerstone of Boston’s lineup, is suddenly your teammate. Shock, awe, and a wave of adrenaline swept through the Giants’ clubhouse. That excitement was echoed when Willy Adames was asked about it mid-game.
In the middle of an in-game interview, Adames revealed that he found out about the deal just 15 or 20 minutes before first pitch, right as the team was preparing to take the field. How? Well, Kyle Harrison, one of the pitchers going to the Red Sox as part of the deal, was all set to start for the Giants, but that plan had to be scrapped on the spot.
With no time to recalibrate fully, the Giants placed reliever Sean Hjelle as the emergency starter.
Adames shared how thrilled he was to have Devers join the team. “Everybody’s so excited,” he said. “And to me personally, I’m really into having him on the team. He’s one of the best hitters in the game. It’s going to help us do a lot of damage in this division.“
For the unversed, Devers has mostly been a designated hitter this year, but with Matt Chapman out with a hand injury, he gives the Giants a solid option at third base, temporarily. And let’s be honest, his bat speaks for itself. With 15 homers and 58 RBIs, he’s already outnumbering anyone currently in the Giants’ lineup.
The Giants are currently sitting with a 41–31 record, second to the Dodgers in the NL West. Now with Devers in the mix, they’re hoping he’s the spark that helps them overtake the Dodgers and push for a serious postseason run.
However, it would be worth watching how he fits the lineup, once Chapman returns.
Giants are looking for a perfect fit
Well, you already know the reason the Red Sox decided to move on from Rafael Devers. He wasn’t exactly flexible when it came to switching positions. While he was reluctant to give up his third base to Alex Bregman initially, the issue amplified when he was asked to take first base.
Now he’s joining a Giants squad that’s facing a similar situation. Matt Chapman, one of the best gloves at third in the game, just signed a six-year, $151 million deal and is a huge part of the clubhouse. He’s locked in at third for the long haul. So, what’s going to be Devers’ long-term position?
First base seems more likely. While Dominic Smith is placed there, he is not on the Giants’ long-term radar. DH? Ahh, Devers will find Wilmer Flores in there. While the lineup could get shuffled with Devers in, the projection is still indicating Devers for first base. Something he rejected at the Red Sox.
With the reports of the Giants’ top prospect Bryce Eldridge joining the team, the competition for Devers to get the DH spot intensifies even further. We will wait and see if Devers ends up playing first base for the Giants.
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