Former AL East GM Breaks Down Red Sox’s Rafael Devers Trade

The bombshell Rafael Devers trade has dominated Monday’s MLB discourse.

After sweeping the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox surprised everyone by sending Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. Boston received two pitchers (Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks) and a pair of prospects (James Tibbs III and Jose Bello) in return for the franchise mainstay, who has registered a .905 OPS this season.

J.P. Ricciardi joined NESN’s “310 To Left” to dissect the Devers blockbuster. The former Toronto Blue Jays general manager, who stepped down as San Francisco’s senior adviser of baseball operations last year, processed the move from Boston’s perspective.

“I think the Red Sox have totally bought into being young,” Ricciardi said. “I think they’re really convinced that their young players are the way to go, and I have no problem with that.”

"I think they’re really convinced that their young players are the way to go… they're entrusting Alex Cora to keep this ship going in the right direction."@RicciardiJP reacts to the Devers trade with @TomCaron & @alexspeier ???? pic.twitter.com/1xxw3b9Krw

— NESN (@NESN) June 16, 2025

Trading Devers could secure a permanent roster spot for the recently promoted Roman Anthony once Wilyer Abreu returns from the injured list. MLB’s top prospect joins Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell to form a high-upside young nucleus.

Ricciardi also theorized that San Francisco’s former front office would have “never” agreed to absorb the rest of Devers’ $313.5 million contract, which runs through 2033. The 65-year-old believes the financial situation limited Boston’s potential trading partners.

Furthermore, Ricciardi thinks the Red Sox set the tone for their future by trading Devers amid off-field drama regarding where the three-time All-Star will play. The 28-year-old stayed at designated hitter following injuries to Alex Bregman and Triston Casas.

“This trade is all about where the Red Sox want to go, the culture they want to have, the precedent they want to set, the environment they want to play in,” Ricciardi added. “And I think they’re entrusting Alex Cora to keep this ship going in the right direction. I think he’s the right guy to do it, but I just think, deep down, they just really wanted to get rid of Devers.”