If you thought Buster Posey was sitting back and having a relaxing Father’s Day ahead of the Giants Sunday Night showdown with the Dodgers, you’d be sorely mistaken. Like, incredibly mistaken. Posey and the Giants sent shockwaves through the MLB world on Sunday, acquiring superstar Red Sox infielder Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade that was announced just minutes before first pitch.
Even better, the Giants managed to hang on to top prospect Bryce Eldridge. The return isn’t insignificant, but in the immediate wake of the trade it certainly does seem like the Giants are winners in this deal. Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison are the two being shipped from the big league roster. 2024 first round pick James Tibbs III and low level prospect Jose Bello round out the return for Boston.
This is a serious statement from the desk of rookie POBO Buster Posey. Last week he implored the Giants to get going with a simple “it’s time to go” after making a handful of moves following a historically anemic stretch of hitting (tiny moves, comparatively). Devers is hitting .272 , good for second on the roster behind Heliot Ramos. He sports a .905 OPS, has blasted 15 homers and driven in 58 runs, all three good for the lead in his new clubhouse.
Now, the Giants have one of the game’s best power hitters. A left handed home run machine who hits with power to all fields. A guy with inarguable swag, who will strut to home plate at Oracle Park nursing a golf ball size wad of chew in his right cheek before mashing tape measure blasts into McCovey Cove. It’s tough to be anything but over the moon about the immediate impact this trade will have on a middling lineup that’s trying its best to support the game’s best starting staff and bullpen. If the Giants were strong playoff contenders three hours ago, they’re legitimate World Series contenders now. The baseball Gods, with their omnipresent sense of humor, have stamped their approval on this major deal just five days before the Giants host the Red Sox at Oracle Park next weekend.
The loss of Harrison was a necessary pain, he’s been better as of late but hasn’t reached the potential he was touted as during his flashy minor league tenure. Hicks won’t be missed much by fans after a failed starting experiment and a less than inspiring bullpen tenure. James Tibbs is a good prospect who was heating up, but prospects are just that until they prove it at the major league level. Which for Tibbs won’t be until 2027 at least. The Red Sox likely wanted Eldridge, but the Giants held on to their golden goose. In the present, it’s front office masterclass. Especially when you consider the Dodgers-esque deferment they’re reportedly doing with the remainder of Devers’ massive contract.
There are a number of questions that will now deserve answers fans will get in the coming days. What happens with Wilmer Flores? Will Devers, who was upset about his defensive role in Boston, play the field at all with the Giants? We’ll see. For now, get some Sunday night sleep with visions of Devers water shots dancing in your heads, Giants fans.