Sweep And Sour

By Mike Rifkin

Sunday was a bittersweet day for the Boston Red Sox and their fans. In the afternoon the Red Sox defeated their arch rivals the New York Yankees 2-0 to complete the three game sweep. Over the last two weekends the Red Sox won five of six meetings against the Yankees, and are 6.5 games behind in the AL East and a ½ game back in the Wild Card. So, a sweep of the Yankees, and going over .500 and being in the thick of a playoff race is what people in Boston are going to talk about for the next few days? No, it’s what the Red Sox did Sunday night that has people talking. 

On Sunday night the Red Sox shocked the Baseball world by trading All- Star Third Baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Right Handed Pitcher Jordan Hicks(28 years old) (9 starts, 13 games 1-5 6.47 ERA), Left Handed Pitcher Kyle Harrison (23) ( 4 starts, 8 games 1-1 4.56 ERA),1B/OF James Tibbs (22) (playing in A+), Right Handed Pitcher (20) Jose Bello (2.00 ERA in Rookie Ball) . Devers was in the second year of a 10 year 313.5 Million Dollar Contract. 

Devers made headlines earlier this season when he said he didn’t want to play first base when Triston Casas went down with injury, or replace Alex Bregman at third when he got hurt. But, is it Devers fault? No, the Red Sox are the ones who decided to sign Bregman and move Devers to DH, so this is the fault of the organization. But here’s the thing: this is very reminiscent of the Luka Doncic trade in the NBA, with one massive difference: the Red Sox didn’t acquire Anthony Davis. They acquired two kids in their twenties, who haven’t moved past A ball, Kyle Harrison has only made 35 starts across three seasons, and Jordan Hicks, has a great arm, but doesn’t know if he’s a starter or reliever, but inconsistencies and injuries have plagued his career. 

This is the second time in the last seven years where the Red Sox trade a franchise superstar for a subpar package. The first one was the Mookie Betts deal with the Dodgers, but with Devers under contract this one just feels so wrong. Devers is the face of the franchise, and in my opinion will win an MVP one day. Why trade him? Because he didn’t want to move positions or was he that bad of a guy? If either was the case then the Red Sox should’ve actually done some work and listened to what other offers could’ve been out there. They could’ve gotten a deal similar to what the Nationals got for Juan Soto, but this feels rushed and this is the kinda decision that gets someone fired. 

If you are going to move a player like Devers, it’s a sign you’re going to start a rebuild. If that was the case why not shop him over the winter and why bring in a veteran like Alex Bregman? Are the Red Sox changing course on if they want to compete in 2025 and 26? Either way this trade of one of the best players in baseball is absolutely ridiculous and the Red Sox did this to themselves. Instead of celebrating a big weekend against their rivals, we have to figure out what the heck is going on in Boston? If I was a Red Sox fan, I’m not heading to Fenway until I hear the reason why the face of my franchise was traded.