There are many extremes to consider when one writes a column like this.
Fan vs. journalist.
Morality vs selfishness.
Jock vs. businessman.
Supposed franchise cornerstone Vs. President of Baseball Operations who lacks sentiment.
I'm not going to flat out say who's side I'm on and who's wrong in the saga of Rafael Devers vs. the Red Sox, rather, I'm going to try and make sense why this trade happened and why both parties are at fault for this unceremonious and utterly surprising trade.
Leave it to Red Sox to once again prove that they are own worst enemy by killing any goodwill they may have regained by sweeping the Yankees over the weekend and climbing back into contention only to fritter that goodwill away by trading their best power bat and potentially punting on the 2025 season.
Devers himself told the media after yesterday's game that all of the struggles between him and the front office were in the past.
Apparently that sentiment was lost on Red Sox President of Baseball Operations. Craig Breslow, and the tone deaf timing of the organization to move Devers in the wake of a surprisingly satisfying three-game sweep over the Yankees
Before you cry for Devers understand this cruel but true fact about sports management, it's a business.
It's a business because loyalty is an anachronism. In most cases. the players will chase the money, and the executives will try to find top market value for stars who's contracts are ending, or who's presence on the team does not correlate with the team's value or what they want to accomplish in the long run.
That last point is the key tenant in the power struggle between Devers and Breslow that has played out over the last few months.
Yes, Devers was the incumbent third baseman before the Red Sox brought Alex Bregman in as a free agent, but Devers led the American League in errors by a third baseman last year, and the opportunity to add someone who was Gold Glove winner at the position and historically hit well at Fenway Park was too good to pass up.
As unfair as it seemed to Devers, he didn't get a free pass because he was the incumbent and the highest paid player on the team.
His incessant whining about having to vacate his position for Bregman and move to DH did not endear him to anyone aside from his most ardent supporters.
Devers eventually backed down, but when Tristan Casas fractured his patella tendon and Devers was asked to play first base in his absence, Devers told the media that he wasn't sure he could be that "flexible"this time around.
It must be a nice feeling to sign a $313 million dollar contract from your employer and tell them to stick it twice in a three-month period when they ask you to do what is best for the team.
Yes, Devers attitude is poor, and in most lines of work he'd be fired for copping such an attitude, but the reality was he was the best power threat the Red Sox had and was the longest-tenured player on the roster.
Why else would Breslow, owner John Henry and team President Sam Kennedy make a business trip to Kansas City where the team was playing at the time to try and smooth things over with Devers and find common ground
According to a report by the Athletic's Jen McCaffrey on June 15, the team discussed with Devers the importance of being a good teammate, and the need for him to become a leader in the clubhouse during that meeting
The meeting was reported to be "productive" but based on yesterday's actions, it is hard for me to take that at face value.
I think both parties are at fault here.
Devers' refusal to do what was best for the team made him a complacent malcontent in the eyes of management. His refusal to be "flexible" and bend to the team's wishes was seen in the media as a slight against Breslow and his cronies. Despite his powerful bat, popularity with teammates, and fans, and tenure with the organization, he was a headache to management and no longer worth the investment. You can make a strong case that Devers was paid for his bat above all else as his defense and refusal to do what was best for the team on two occasions this year made him suspect in the eyes of fans and media.
On the other hand, it is important to note that Craig Breslow did not offer that huge contract to Devers. Chaim Bloom did. Thus, Devers was an inherited migraine to Craig Breslow.
Breslow obviously did not share the same warm and fuzzy feelings that Bloom had for Devers, which is fine, however this begs the question why make this move now?
Sure, Devers may not be the most cordial and cooperative guy in the clubhouse, but I am of the belief that Devers was paid to produce at the plate and in that regard he delivered.
Just when it appeared the Red Sox were climbing back to contention to salvage this underachieving season Breslow chose to move Devers and build for the future.
There's no justifiable reason for this deal at the present moment other than to take Devers' contract off your hands.
Giants GM Buster Posey will be either be a genius or a sucker for absorbing that contract, and dealing with Devers' spoiled nature, but that's in the long run. As for the here and now, I'd like to offer a few words of wisdom to Mr Breslow.
You better know what your doing. How's that Sale for Grissom deal working out for you?
Outside of Garrett Crochet, there's no marketable talent on the current roster. That may change with the infusion of young talent that has been given a chance to play in due time, but for now this is a huge and unnecessary gamble.
Spare me the talk about the future, the future is only guaranteed in time not in victories and sustained success.
Like it or not, this move is going to define you as much as Chaim Bloom was defined by Mookie Betts.
Above all else, avoid the smear campaign against Devers because it will only ensure that this move was made out of pettiness and the need to save a buck over potentially fielding a competitive team.
I hope Alex Bregman was worth it.
