Breaking Down the Boston Red Sox Return in Rafael Devers Trade

Final Thoughts

On paper, the Giants gave up four promising but unproven pieces without parting with any established MLB talent, making this trade feel like a clear win for San Francisco. Of course, the actual impact will only be known in time.

What’s undeniable is the message this move sends. The Giants already have the pitching and bullpen depth to compete. By adding Rafael Devers—a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat—they’ve elevated themselves from scrappy wildcard hopefuls to potential NL heavyweights.

This trade signals to the rest of the league that the Giants are all in. With the Dodgers and Padres also vying for control of the NL West, San Francisco took a massive step toward keeping pace and possibly claiming the division title.

With Devers now wearing orange and black, the Giants aren’t just aiming for a playoff spot—they’re chasing a championship.

The post Trading for Rafael Devers Solidifies the Giants as Contenders appeared first on Just Baseball.

LHP Kyle Harrison

Kyle Harrison appears to be the centerpiece heading back to Boston in the Devers trade—remarkably, he was warming up to face the rival Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball when the news broke.

Once considered the top left-handed pitching prospect in the sport, Harrison still offers significant upside. His 4.56 ERA in his first full MLB season may not leap off the page, but it came while pitching through multiple injuries. Now healthy and with improved mechanics, Harrison is starting to show why he was once highly regarded.

One of the most notable developments has been his fastball velocity, which jumped from 92.5 mph in 2024 to 95.1 mph in 2025. It's a unique offering with an elite ride and a deceptive release. The most significant question mark has been his secondary pitches.

Fortunately for Harrison, he’ll reunite with Andrew Bailey—his former Giants pitching coach—who now works in Boston. If Bailey can help sharpen Harrison’s off-speed arsenal, the Red Sox might be looking at a future top-of-the-rotation arm.

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RHP Jordan Hicks

Jordan Hicks’s transition to a starting role began promisingly in early 2024, but things have unraveled since. Across just under 50 innings this season—primarily as a starter—he’s struggled to a 6.47 ERA.

Still, the raw stuff hasn’t disappeared. Hicks was once one of the most electrifying relievers in the game, regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball.

The question is how the Red Sox plan to use him: Will he get another shot in the rotation or return to the bullpen where he once thrived? Either way, the Giants' offloading of his four-year, $44 million contract helps offset the massive financial commitment tied to Devers, making it a strategic move on San Francisco’s end.

The Prospects

James Tibbs III is the top prospect heading to Boston in the Rafael Devers trade. A first-round pick in 2024 out of Florida State, Tibbs recently began turning heads in High-A Eugene with his emerging power, giving Giants fans a glimpse of his potential.

In 2025, the left-handed slugger is batting .245 with 12 home runs and a 132 wRC+, showcasing the offensive upside that could eventually land him on top-100 prospect lists. While he's still a few years away from the majors, the long-term ceiling is clear.

The final piece of the trade is right-hander Jose Bello, a 20-year-old who’s off to an impressive start at the complex level. In 18 innings, Bello has posted a 2.00 ERA and an eye-popping 14.00 K/9, flashing promising swing-and-miss stuff at an early stage in his development.

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Final Thoughts

On paper, the Giants gave up four promising but unproven pieces without parting with any established MLB talent, making this trade feel like a clear win for San Francisco. Of course, the actual impact will only be known in time.

What’s undeniable is the message this move sends. The Giants already have the pitching and bullpen depth to compete. By adding Rafael Devers—a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat—they’ve elevated themselves from scrappy wildcard hopefuls to potential NL heavyweights.

This trade signals to the rest of the league that the Giants are all in. With the Dodgers and Padres also vying for control of the NL West, San Francisco took a massive step toward keeping pace and possibly claiming the division title.

With Devers now wearing orange and black, the Giants aren’t just aiming for a playoff spot—they’re chasing a championship.

The post Trading for Rafael Devers Solidifies the Giants as Contenders appeared first on Just Baseball.