Seattle Mariners’ newest player shares promotion with family
Cole Young announces his move to the big leagues playing for Seattle Mariners during an emotional phone call with his family.
The San Francisco Giants, battling the Los Angeles Dodgers for supremacy in the NL West, pulled off one of the most stunning trades in years Sunday afternoon by acquiring Boston Red Sox All-Star Rafael Devers.
Devers was informed of the trade and pulled off the team plane, a close friend of Devers told USA TODAY Sports.
The Red Sox will receive pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, and prospects James Tibbs and Jose Bello in the trade, which was first reported by Fansided.
The Giants will pay the entirety of Devers’ remaining 10-year, $315 million contract, which still has eight years remaining after this season.
Devers, who was the face of the Red Sox organization, angered Red Sox GM Craig Breslow this season by refusing refusing to move to first base, or even back to third base, staying as the DH.
Still, there were no rumors or even the slightest speculation that the Red Sox were so upset with Devers that they were going to trade him.
The deal sent shock waves through the San Diego Padres‘ clubhouse after their victory on Sunday over the Arizona Diamondbacks, with no one believing it until one of the Padres players telephoned Devers himself, who confirmed it.
The trade was MLB’s version of the Luca Doncic-Anthony Davis trade with the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2.
“I can’t believe it, you kidding me,’’ one Padres player said. “I mean, I knew the Giants were looking for a first baseman, but Devers? Wow!’’
Devers, 28, is hitting .272 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs this season with a .905 OPS. He has three seasons of at least 30 homers and 100 RBI.
The Giants, meanwhile, haven’t had a 30-home run hitter since Barry Bonds in 2004.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
