MLB Exec Calls Out Red Sox's 'Brutal' Communication With Rafael Devers Before Trade

One National League executive was less than complimentary toward the Boston Red Sox when discussing star third baseman Rafael Devers' midseason trade from the team.

"What stands out the most is just how brutal the communication (with Devers) was on their side," the exec told The Athletic's Jayson Stark. "It's made me think about how we treat players (in his team's organization) — how players are treated and respected, and the value of good communication, and how that affects and creates culture.

"You know, it's easy to throw stones at other teams. I get that. I just know that in our organization, we function on communication and culture and support, on positivity and curiosity. And these things are just what's built into our organization, from top to bottom. So I can't even fathom that happening."

Perhaps the discord between Devers and Red Sox dated back to some point before this season. In public, at least, things started to unravel when Boston signed Alex Bregman, which necessitated the three-time All-Star slugger's move to designated hitter.

Devers made it pretty clear he grudgingly accepted the change ahead of Opening Day.

Then the Red Sox watched Triston Casas suffer a season-ending patellar injury. With a void at first base, there was a pretty straightforward solution. Unfortunately, Devers was insistent in not wanting to be the everyday first baseman. Team owner John Henry even intervened in order to smooth things over, albeit unsuccessfully.

By trading away the last star from its World Series-winning squad in 2018, Boston gave the impression there was an unbridgeable divide.

Joon Lee of Yahoo Sports subsequently detailed drama behind the scenes that extends beyond the Devers situation. The coaching staff and front office aren't entirely aligned, and there's a sense ownership isn't as involved day-to-day as it was in the past.

When it comes to Devers, some blame can be apportioned to both sides.

Baseball is a team game, one that occasionally requires individual sacrifice. That can include switching positions in order to improve the overall unit. Simply put, Bregman is a better defensive third baseman than Devers.

Signing a 10-year contract worth more than $300 million also means shouldering a higher burden as a veteran leader. Boston wasn't necessarily out of line by asking Devers to replace Casas, a situation nobody could've planned for.

Having said that, being the head of baseball operations isn't just about building a roster. Maintaining relationships and managing personalities are crucial components, too, and it's clear chief baseball operations Craig Breslow failed in that regard with Devers.

Maybe the Red Sox wind up on the winning side of the trade because Devers declines at the plate and becomes more of a burden with a $28.5 million salary into his mid-30s.

But Boston clearly needs to take some lessons away from all of this to avoid alienating another homegrown star.