New Report Cites Root Cause Of Rafael Devers Trade By Red Sox

While trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants apparently picked up at a rapid rate, the Rafael Devers blockbuster reportedly was months in the making.

The roots stretch back to spring training, according to CBS Sports’ Julian McWilliams, who previously covered the Red Sox for The Boston Globe.

“According to a source familiar with the situation, Devers was asked to take grounders at both third and first base in spring training,” McWilliams wrote in a story published Monday morning, just a few hours after the Red Sox traded Devers to the Giants. “He declined — and instead asked for a trade.

“That request set the wheels in motion for what became a growing divide between the Sox’s best player and the front office, led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.”

It’s worth noting there’s a conflicting report stating Devers did not demand a trade.

It’s well-documented Devers did not want to be moved off third base despite the arrival of offseason signee Alex Bregman. The three-time MLB All-Star also expressed a level dissatisfaction when asked about picking up first base, following the season-ending injury to Triston Casas. It reportedly prompted a meeting between the Red Sox front office and Devers.

McWilliams’ reporting aligned with that of The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham, who wrote: “The team’s feeling was that a $313.5M contract comes with responsibilities to do what is right for the team and that Devers did not live up to those responsibilities.”

Boston acquired four players including right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and right-handed prospect Jose Bello.