Rafael Devers, Red Sox Relationship Reportedly Was 'Unsalvageable' Before Giants Trade

Veteran slugger Rafael Devers was once one of the faces of the Boston Red Sox, but he will now be taking his talents to the San Francisco Giants after being traded on Sunday.

According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the relationship between Devers and the Red Sox had deteriorated to the point where it was described as "an unsalvageable situation for both parties" before Sunday's deal.

Cotillo added that Devers was "frustrated with mixed messaging from 'different voices' in the organization" and felt "like a scapegoat." While it reportedly "never got to the point where" Devers demanded a trade, he welcomed the opportunity to be moved, and conversations had been taking place for "months."

The issues between Devers and the Red Sox arose before the season when he was asked to move from third base after the team signed Alex Bregman. He initially resisted before eventually agreeing to primarily play as designated hitter. However, more contention surfaced when he refused the team's request to move to first base after Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury.

After all of that, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Devers simply "didn't want to be in Boston anymore." He has $250 million remaining on the $331 million extension that he signed with the Red Sox, and the Giants will be absorbing all of it.

Devers' 15 home runs and 58 RBI this season are more than any other San Francisco player, so his new team will be looking forward to having him in the lineup going forward.