How Craig Breslow, Red Sox Brass Explained Trade Of Rafael Devers

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow doesn’t want the trade of Rafael Devers to be viewed as a waving of the white flag in 2025.

The Red Sox couldn’t come to an alignment with the three-time MLB All-Star, president and CEO Sam Kennedy said, so Boston traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players on Sunday night. The Red Sox believe it is what is best for the team in the short- and long-term given Devers and the franchise had a differing view of things.

“I think where we got to was believing that making this move made more sense for us than not making it,” Breslow told reporters during a video conference Monday night, as seen on NESN. “If we didn’t get the return that we were holding out for then we wouldn’t have made it.

“But the only commitment that I have ever made to any player, any staff member, anyone in the office or ownership was to do what I believe was in the best for the Boston Red Sox, and this was that.”

The Giants will take on the remainder of Devers’ contract. However, Breslow said that was not a mandate nor a condition for the Red Sox in order to finalize a deal.

Breslow said the importance of creating a more functional roster, a roster that would give other players more playing time and allow a rotation in the designated hitter spot were among the reasons for the trade. Breslow also spoke highly of the four players Boston acquired in the deal, which include right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and right-handed prospect Jose Bello.

Kennedy credited Breslow and his group for improving the pitching staff, and said he’s also excited about who is coming back to Boston.

“I think when you consider the flexibility, the ability to give some of the younger players some run, the opportunity to maybe repackage some of the resources and fill some voids on the roster as early as approaching this year’s deadline, and being really intentional about the environment that we create for these young players to thrive in, then I do think there is a real chance that at the end of the season we’re looking back and we’ve won more games than we otherwise would have,” Breslow said.

“We’ve talked a lot about it, but for some reason, this team is an example where the whole was not greater than the sum of the parts.”

Following the offseason signing of Alex Bregman, Devers publicly expressed discontent when asked about moving off third base. He rebuffed when the organization asked him to play first base following the season-ending injury to Triston Casas, as well. Those circumstances prompted Devers’ camp to question whether a fresh start would be best for both sides, Breslow said.

An overly optimistic Kennedy hoped the Red Sox would work through the situation, but ultimately could not. That inability to align ultimately is why Devers and the Red Sox split following eight-plus success seasons together, according to Red Sox brass.