Category: Baseball

Red Sox legend Ortiz uses Devers trade as lesson for young stars originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Red Sox legend David Ortiz wants young stars to use Boston’s shocking trade of left-handed slugger Rafael Devers to the Giants as a lesson. In a conversation with baseball content creator Yancen Pujols on Monday, “Big Papi” detailed why he believes there is much to learn from the 28-year-old’s fallout in Boston.

“Players need to take this as an example, nobody is indispensable … You need to be smart and understand the situation. Your worst enemy is your ego,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz’s comments were directed toward Devers’ unhappiness with his role in Boston and how, despite the three-time MLB All-Star playing under the 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed with the Red Sox in 2023, no one player is above a franchise.

After playing third base for the first eight years of his MLB career, Devers was moved to designated hitter this season to make way for Alex Bregman, whom the Red Sox signed to a three-year, $120 million free-agent contract this past offseason. Then, after Triston Casas suffered a ruptured left patellar tendon in early May, Boston asked Devers to step in at first base, which he never did.

Devers simply was turned off by the Red Sox wanting him to change positions multiple times. That fact left Ortiz wanting MLB’s up-and-comers to know that, even if you are a stud like Devers, you’re still just a part of a team – and movable.

“The organization is always going to be there,” Ortiz reiterated in an interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal published on Monday. “Players come and go. As a player, sometimes you’ve got to put your ego aside and understand that once you get paid, you’ve got to find a way to do what you’re told. 

“That’s a message for all young players who think they turn out to be bigger than the game. I’m not saying that Devers was like that. He’s humble. He’s a good kid. But sometimes when you’re young and immature, you (don’t realize that).”

It is unknown if Devers would still be with the Red Sox had they not signed Bregman or had Casas not gotten injured. But the what-ifs don’t matter now, as Devers is San Francisco-bound and expected to work with manager Bob Melvin and president of baseball operations Buster Posey on figuring out his new role(s).

Devers exits Boston for San Francisco after posting a .905 OPS over 73 games as a full-time DH during the 2025 MLB season. Through the national noise and Ortiz’s comments, it’s clear most believe the Giants landed a potential National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, and that the Red Sox are in the dumps.

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Here's what happened in Mets Land on Sunday, in case you missed it...

• Griffin Canning put the Mets in a big early hole during a listless 9-0 loss to the Rays at Citi Field
• The Mets are quickly turning the page from their sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay
• Canning was candid about his struggles and what needs to change
• Brett Baty is day-to-day with groin tightness
• Sean Manaeamade his third rehab start
• Kodai Sengahas not been shut down completely
• Francisco Lindor's broken toe won't be a year-long issue
• Mark Vientos is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse
• Jett Williamshas seven hits -- including three triples -- in his last four games for Double-A Binghamton

Posey recalls familiar feeling leading up to Giants' Devers trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buster Posey is no stranger to baseball-related anxiety.

The three-time World Series champion, seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and 2012 National League MVP has experienced the biggest moments the game has to offer on the field. Off the field, however, as San Francisco’s new president of baseball operations, there only are so many moments where he might feel those familiar butterflies.

Acquiring superstar slugger Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox on Sunday certainly was one of those moments, as Posey explained Monday morning on KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus.”

“I was telling [my wife] Kristen yesterday morning as it felt like this was coming together, I kind of have some of the same anxiousness and anxiety that I had before every single game. It was a fun feeling, it was exciting,” Posey said.

The potential franchise-altering move, while a collaborative effort between Posey, general manager Zack Minasian and their team, ultimately rested on the shoulders of just one person: Posey.

“A decision like this is not made solely by myself, there’s a lot of input from our team, whether it’s Zack or Jeremy [Shelley] or our advisors,” Posey shared. “Ultimately, I had to be the one to pull the trigger on this, but felt like as a group we came to that decision together.”

Posey made the final decision for the Giants and hopped on a one-on-one call with Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to push the deal across the finish line.

“It was me and Breslow,” Posey revealed. “Breslow and I were kind of going back and forth to try and hash out the details, but ultimately it was myself and Breslow.”

The trade not only went through right before the Giants’ series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which led to some chaos on the field and in the clubhouse, but also on Father’s Day, where Posey was celebrating with his family while simultaneously pulling off one of the biggest trades in franchise history.

“It was a Father’s Day to remember, for sure,” Posey added. “I was on the phone and the little girls were running around doing their thing and the older kids were doing their thing, so it was a balancing act.”

Talk about a great Father’s Day gift.

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Who could Red Sox target in free agency after getting rid of Devers' contract? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox moved on from another face-of-the-franchise player Sunday when they traded designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a shocking move.

Just hours after sweeping the rival New York Yankees and building some real, positive momentum for the first time all season, the Red Sox dealt Devers for a package that included left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, minor league outfielder James Tibbs III and minor league right-handed pitcher Jose Bello.

The return was underwhelming, to put it mildly. None of these players or prospects have star potential, although Tibbs could develop into a useful player. He was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

One of the most significant aspects of the trade for the Red Sox was they managed to offload all of the $254 million remaining on Devers’ 10-year, $313 million contract.

As a result, the Red Sox could have a lot of money to spend in the offseason in the free agent and/or trade markets. And in addition to getting rid of Devers’ contract, the Red Sox also have the salaries of Walker Buehler ($21 million) and Lucas Giolito ($19 million), among others, coming off the books following the 2025 season.

While the Devers trade itself looks like a huge blunder based on the return, this deal ultimately will be judged by how the Red Sox are able to upgrade their roster with the money they saved by moving him.

So, which players could potentially be available for the Red Sox to spend their money on this winter?

Here’s a list of notable players who are able to become unrestricted free agents after the 2025 season. It should be noted that some of them could remain with their current teams.

Kyle Tucker, RF, Cubs

Tucker likely will be the best position player available, assuming he reaches the open market. The Cubs traded for him last offseason, and he’s one of the primary reasons why they lead the National League Central Division right now.

He is batting .277 with 13 home runs, 43 RBI, a .389 on-base percentage and a .893 OPS. Tucker also won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros. The 28-year-old veteran would be very expensive to sign, and the Red Sox don’t have a huge need in the outfield. But if the Red Sox want a proven bat for their lineup, Tucker is worth pursuing.

Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets

The Red Sox have a massive need for a first baseman, the position where Alonso has made a huge impact on the Mets for many years. He’s also having a tremendous season, hitting .293 with 17 home runs and a league-leading 63 RBI. His .960 OPS ranks fifth among all players. Alonso will be 31 in December, and he might need to switch to DH at some point, but his ability to play first base and be very productive at the plate would make him an interesting target for Boston.

Josh Naylor, 1B, Diamondbacks

Another option at first base for the Red Sox could be Naylor, who set career highs with 31 home runs and 108 RBI for the Cleveland Guardians last season. He is hitting .300 with nine homers, 48 RBI and an .827 OPS in 69 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025. Naylor isn’t an amazing defensive player at first base, but he would add some reliable offensive production to Boston’s lineup.

Dylan Cease, SP, Padres

The Red Sox need another ace to join Garrett Crochet atop the rotation, and Cease could be one of the top pitchers available in the offseason. He is the only pitcher who has struck out 200-plus batters in each of the last four seasons, and with 96 strikeouts in 14 games this year, he’s on pace to hit that mark again.

His 2025 season — 2-5, 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP — has been disappointing so far. But in his last start on June 11, Cease pitched seven innings and gave up just three hits and zero runs, while striking out 11 in a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cease would be a huge addition to the Red Sox rotation, but would their front office splurge for a starter who will be 30 years old on Opening Day 2026?

Zac Gallen, SP, Diamondbacks

Gallen is not having a great 2025 campaign so far. He is 4-8 with a 5.19 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and 0.4 WAR. However, he has been a very good pitcher for the Diamondbacks over the last four seasons, including two top-five finishes in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2022 and 2023.

Framber Valdez, SP, Astros

Valdez will be 32 years old at the start of next season, so he might not be the best long-term fit for the Red Sox, but he is a very talented and reliable starter. He has started at least 28 games for the Astros in each of the last three years. He’s having a good 2025 season, too, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.10 ERA, 96 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP in 14 appearances so far.

And if the Red Sox get back to the postseason in the short term, Valdez would be a nice pitcher to have in that kind of atmosphere given his previous experience and success in big games. He pitched fantastic during the Astros’ run to a 2022 World Series title.

Watch Red Sox fans' incredulous reaction to Devers-to-Giants trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants’ trade with the Boston Red Sox for three-time MLB All-Star Rafael Devers left the baseball world stunned ever since news broke minutes before San Francisco’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Considering how unexpected the move for the 28-year-old was – especially its unusual timing – many fans even initially doubted the deal was real, much like NBA fans did when news broke of the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers swapping Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis in early February.

A TikTok posted by user @eileenflynn11 captured the immediate reactions of what appeared to be a crowd of Red Sox fans who truly didn’t believe Boston was sending Devers to San Francisco, especially after he helped his old club sweep the New York Yankees.

Most people laughed and mocked the original poster for throwing out what appeared to be an outlandish, April Fools-esque joke. But they soon realized she wasn’t kidding and that Devers was bound for the Bay.

Indeed, it was a “tough day for Boston Dads,” as the post’s caption read.

Another TikTok, posted by user @patsatonafatcat, captured what probably was an even worse moment – a Red Sox fan being gifted a shirt with Devers’ last name and number on it minutes after the trade broke the internet.

Keep the tags on that one.

While Boston fans were heartbroken and clearly in disbelief, San Francisco fans couldn’t be more excited. 

The Giants are getting one of the best bats in baseball, and if things go well over the eight years remaining on the 10-year contract Devers signed with the Red Sox in 2023, there’s a real chance the left-handed slugger could be remembered as a West Coast superstar despite being part of Boston’s organization since he was a 16-year-old prospect.

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Betts has stunned reaction to ex-teammate Devers' trade to Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

On Sunday afternoon, ex-Boston Red Sox teammate and current Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts was rocked by the Giants’ monumental trade for All-Star designated hitter Rafael Devers.

And that’s considering that back in 2020, Betts, who was crowned 2018 World Series Champion along with Devers, was traded by the Red Sox to the Dodgers along with a slew of players.

“I just thought it was crazy,” said Betts of Devers’ trade to the Giants (h/t The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya). “Nothing really to say, it’s just crazy.”

The 28-year-old slugger joins the Giants in exchange for pitchers Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello. 

It’s a game-changing acquisition for San Francisco, which had been notably seeking a superstar hitter for several years.

Devers is in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract that was signed back in Jan. 2023.

The three-time MLB All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger is estimated to make roughly $250 million over the next eight-plus seasons, likely securing his long-term future in the Bay Area.

Surely, Devers will look to follow Betts’ lead in winning two more World Series with his new team.

Ironically, Betts is now Devers’ top rival to beat.

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Willy Adames, Dominic Smith confident Rafael Devers will be perfect Giants fit originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LOS ANGELES — A couple of weeks ago, the Giants had one of the worst first base situations in baseball. They woke up Monday morning with a different dilemma: Will they now be able to find enough at-bats for Wilmer Flores, the team RBI leader, and Dominic Smith, who has hit the ground running in orange and black?

Smith has been a revelation at first, but he’ll lose some playing time one way or another once Rafael Devers arrives on Tuesday, a debut that will come two weeks after the Giants DFA’d struggling first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. and signed Smith out of the minors.

President of baseball operations Buster Posey and manager Bob Melvin said late Sunday night that they want to talk to Devers before deciding where he will play, but it seems likely he’ll be the everyday DH once all the dust settles and everyone gets healthy.

That would mean more starts at first base for Flores, and possibly a platoon there with Smith. If either loses significant time — and it should be noted that the sample size with Smith is extremely small — that will only strengthen what has been a weak bench. 

There’s a lot to sort out, but on Sunday night, Smith was all smiles. After the game at Dodger Stadium, he said Devers, his teammate in 2024, will be a perfect fit with this group.

“The thing that I admire is he wanted to play every day. The stuff behind the scenes — he’s a grinder, he doesn’t want a day off, he wants to play against the elite pitching and he wants to be in the big moments and he wants to win,” Smith said. “I know this is a crazy last few hours, but we’ve got a really, really, really talented ballplayer. Young, right in his prime, I can’t wait to see how many balls he hits in the cove.”

Smith has the most experience with Devers, but a lot has changed since they were teammates. Last year, Devers was in the first season of a 10-year contract extension that promised to make him the face of the franchise in Boston. But in the offseason, the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, kicking off what turned into months of drama. Devers wasn’t thrilled, and he didn’t want to move to first base in-season when Triston Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Smith said his own experience with Devers was all positive, noting repeatedly that Devers just wants to play every day.

“He’s going to come in and play hard and show the fans what type of player he is,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to see him do his thing.”

The most excited player in the Giants’ clubhouse might have been another infielder. Willy Adames has been friends with Devers for about a decade, and they exchanged texts after the deal became official. Adames was so fired up that he forgot to stretch before the finale against the Dodgers. 

“You see the numbers every year that he always puts up in Boston,” Adames said. “We need someone like that … when we get Chappy back, it’s going to be a problem for pitchers.”

Devers has a .905 OPS and 15 homers, and he’s 15th among big leaguers with a wRC+ of 148. By that last metric, the Giants — yes, the San Francisco Giants — will soon have three of the top 32 hitters in baseball in their lineup. Chapman, who is out another three or four weeks, ranks 30th and Heliot Ramos is 32nd. 

The addition should be a game-changing one for the lineup, and it stunned the rest of the industry. Devers, 28, is not the type of player who ever gets traded in June, but the back-and-forth about his position led to a falling out in Boston. Management there apparently had seen and heard enough and was eager to move on, but Posey said Sunday that he did his due diligence and came away convinced that there was simply miscommunication in Boston, and that Devers will be a positive addition to the clubhouse. 

Adames gave a full endorsement Sunday night, and he said he texted Devers that everyone in the clubhouse was excited to play with him. Devers responded that he was fired up about the trade.  

“He’s great, he’s great. He’s a great guy,” Adames said. “Obviously, there has been some miscommunication there. I think that from what I know from him, I know he likes to know things. He wants people to communicate to him and be honest, you know? I feel like here with Buster, that’s all we’ve got.

“Buster is a super honest guy, he’s going to be straight up (and Devers) is going to love that. He’s going to feel comfortable here. I know that for a fact.”

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Here are the most shocking trades in MLB history after Red Sox deal Devers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The baseball world has been rocked.

On Sunday evening, the Boston Red Sox made a stunning trade to send Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants with little-to-no warning signs.

The trade came out of nowhere, but it wasn’t the first time that a trade has shocked fans. Just months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic took over the NBA world. It’s not a one for one comparison, but baseball now has it’s own version.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most surprising trades in MLB history:

Red Sox trade Babe Ruth to Yankees, 1919

Red Sox receive: $100,000

Yankees receive: Babe Ruth

It’s been more than 100 years, but the Babe Ruth trade remains a seminal moment in baseball lore. It sparked the Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry and the Curse of the Bambino, an 86-year World Series drought for Boston.

Red Sox trade Mookie Betts to Dodgers, 2020

Red Sox receive: Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Connor Wong

Dodgers receive: Mookie Betts, David Price

Nearly 100 years later, the Red Sox once again traded their World Series-winning star — this time to Hollywood. Mookie Betts has already added two more rings to his fingers in Los Angeles, and none of the three returning players made an impact in Boston (only Connor Wong remains as a backup catcher).

Rangers trade Alex Rodriguez to Yankees, 2004

Rangers receive: Alfonso Soriano, Joaquín Arias

Yankees receive: Alex Rodriguez

The Red Sox had a deal for Alex Rodriguez … until they didn’t. The MLB Players Association vetoed the deal, and the Yankees swooped in months later to steal the star away — only after their third baseman (and future manager) Aaron Boone got injured in a pickup basketball game.

Mariners trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Reds, 2000

Mariners receive: Brett Tomko, Mike Cameron, Antonio Perez, Jake Meyer

Reds receive: Ken Griffey Jr.

Over 11 seasons in Seattle, Griffey was one of baseball’s brightest stars. But he quietly wanted to return home to Cincinnati, and his wish was granted in a February deal. Griffey never reached the same heights after the trade, though, and the Mariners won an MLB record-tying 116 games in 2001.

Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to Giants, 2025

Red Sox receive: Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III, Jose Bello

Giants receive: Rafael Devers

The wound has just opened, but the return package for Devers appears underwhelming. The Red Sox, hours after sweeping the first-place Yankees, traded away another franchise cornerstone over disagreements between him and management over his position.

Dodgers trade Mike Piazza to Marlins, 1998

Dodgers receive: Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Bobby Bonilla, Manuel Barrios, Jim Eisenreich

Marlins receive: Mike Piazza, Todd Zeile

When the Dodgers refused to give Mike Piazza a new contract, they waited a few months before sending him to the Marlins. Seven days later, the Marlins shipped Piazza to the New York Mets in a truly weird sequence of events — all in the name of cost-cutting, as most MLB trades are.

Marlins trade Miguel Cabrera to Tigers, 2007

Marlins receive: Andrew Miller, Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz, Burke Badenhop, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo

Tigers receive: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis

Speaking of cost-cutting, here’s another Marlins example. Cabrera was in his mid-20s and only scratching the surface of his prime when Florida traded him to Detroit. While they received a number of players in return, the Marlins saw Cabrera become a Tigers icon with two MVPs and nearly 400 home runs over 16 seasons.

Mets trade Tom Seaver to Reds, 1977

Mets receive:  Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, Dan Norman

Reds receive: Tom Seaver

Known as the “Midnight Massacre,” Tom Seaver was dealt to the Reds in a shocking move by the Mets. Seaver and the Mets had not been seeing eye to eye, so team chairman Donald Grant shipped their three-time Cy Young winner out of town.

Cleveland trades CC Sabathia to Brewers, 2008

Cleveland receives: Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, Michael Brantley

Brewers receive: CC Sabathia

With CC Sabathia just months away from free agency, Cleveland sent its homegrown star pitcher to … Milwaukee? It was a rare all-in move for the small market franchise, but he delivered the Brewers a playoff appearance for the first time since 1982 before signing with the Yankees that winter.

Red Sox trade Nomar Garciaparra to Cubs, 2004

Red Sox receive: Orlando Cabrera (from Expos), Doug Mientkiewicz (from Twins)

Cubs receive: Nomar Garciaparra (from Red Sox), Matt Murton (from Red Sox)

Expos receive: Brendan Harris (from Cubs), Alex Gonzalez (from Cubs), Francis Beltran (from Cubs)

Twins receive: Justin Jones (from Cubs)

Another Red Sox trade, why not? This one actually worked out for Boston, as much as it stung to trade away franchise icon Nomar Garciaparra mid-season. Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz were key contributors as the Red Sox finally reversed the curse to win the 2004 World Series, while Garciaparra was past his prime.

Here are the most shocking trades in MLB history after Red Sox deal Devers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The baseball world has been rocked.

On Sunday evening, the Boston Red Sox made a stunning trade to send Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants with little-to-no warning signs.

The trade came out of nowhere, but it wasn’t the first time that a trade has shocked fans. Just months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic took over the NBA world. It’s not a one for one comparison, but baseball now has it’s own version.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most surprising trades in MLB history:

Red Sox trade Babe Ruth to Yankees, 1919

Red Sox receive: $100,000

Yankees receive: Babe Ruth

It’s been more than 100 years, but the Babe Ruth trade remains a seminal moment in baseball lore. It sparked the Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry and the Curse of the Bambino, an 86-year World Series drought for Boston.

Red Sox trade Mookie Betts to Dodgers, 2020

Red Sox receive: Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Connor Wong

Dodgers receive: Mookie Betts, David Price

Nearly 100 years later, the Red Sox once again traded their World Series-winning star — this time to Hollywood. Mookie Betts has already added two more rings to his fingers in Los Angeles, and none of the three returning players made an impact in Boston (only Connor Wong remains as a backup catcher).

Rangers trade Alex Rodriguez to Yankees, 2004

Rangers receive: Alfonso Soriano, Joaquín Arias

Yankees receive: Alex Rodriguez

The Red Sox had a deal for Alex Rodriguez … until they didn’t. The MLB Players Association vetoed the deal, and the Yankees swooped in months later to steal the star away — only after their third baseman (and future manager) Aaron Boone got injured in a pickup basketball game.

Mariners trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Reds, 2000

Mariners receive: Brett Tomko, Mike Cameron, Antonio Perez, Jake Meyer

Reds receive: Ken Griffey Jr.

Over 11 seasons in Seattle, Griffey was one of baseball’s brightest stars. But he quietly wanted to return home to Cincinnati, and his wish was granted in a February deal. Griffey never reached the same heights after the trade, though, and the Mariners won an MLB record-tying 116 games in 2001.

Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to Giants, 2025

Red Sox receive: Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III, Jose Bello

Giants receive: Rafael Devers

The wound has just opened, but the return package for Devers appears underwhelming. The Red Sox, hours after sweeping the first-place Yankees, traded away another franchise cornerstone over disagreements between him and management over his position.

Dodgers trade Mike Piazza to Marlins, 1998

Dodgers receive: Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Bobby Bonilla, Manuel Barrios, Jim Eisenreich

Marlins receive: Mike Piazza, Todd Zeile

When the Dodgers refused to give Mike Piazza a new contract, they waited a few months before sending him to the Marlins. Seven days later, the Marlins shipped Piazza to the New York Mets in a truly weird sequence of events — all in the name of cost-cutting, as most MLB trades are.

Marlins trade Miguel Cabrera to Tigers, 2007

Marlins receive: Andrew Miller, Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz, Burke Badenhop, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo

Tigers receive: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis

Speaking of cost-cutting, here’s another Marlins example. Cabrera was in his mid-20s and only scratching the surface of his prime when Florida traded him to Detroit. While they received a number of players in return, the Marlins saw Cabrera become a Tigers icon with two MVPs and nearly 400 home runs over 16 seasons.

Mets trade Tom Seaver to Reds, 1977

Mets receive:  Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, Dan Norman

Reds receive: Tom Seaver

Known as the “Midnight Massacre,” Tom Seaver was dealt to the Reds in a shocking move by the Mets. Seaver and the Mets had not been seeing eye to eye, so team chairman Donald Grant shipped their three-time Cy Young winner out of town.

Cleveland trades CC Sabathia to Brewers, 2008

Cleveland receives: Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, Michael Brantley

Brewers receive: CC Sabathia

With CC Sabathia just months away from free agency, Cleveland sent its homegrown star pitcher to … Milwaukee? It was a rare all-in move for the small market franchise, but he delivered the Brewers a playoff appearance for the first time since 1982 before signing with the Yankees that winter.

Red Sox trade Nomar Garciaparra to Cubs, 2004

Red Sox receive: Orlando Cabrera (from Expos), Doug Mientkiewicz (from Twins)

Cubs receive: Nomar Garciaparra (from Red Sox), Matt Murton (from Red Sox)

Expos receive: Brendan Harris (from Cubs), Alex Gonzalez (from Cubs), Francis Beltran (from Cubs)

Twins receive: Justin Jones (from Cubs)

Another Red Sox trade, why not? This one actually worked out for Boston, as much as it stung to trade away franchise icon Nomar Garciaparra mid-season. Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz were key contributors as the Red Sox finally reversed the curse to win the 2004 World Series, while Garciaparra was past his prime.

Posey admits external Giants factor played role in Devers trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After numerous failed pursuits over the years, the Giants finally were able to land a superstar hitter.

San Francisco, by acquiring slugging infielder/designated hitter Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, added the caliber of player they long have sought in free agency, only for big names like Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani to sign elsewhere in recent years.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey, the man who pulled off the seismic trade, joined KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” on Monday morning and was asked if the trade for Devers was motivated by San Francisco’s struggles to recruit free-agent hitters.

“Yeah, it’s been tough to get free-agent hitters here,” Posey said. “No doubt. So that was part of the thought in this, and again, it’s a credit to our ownership group as far as seizing an opportunity to bring a big bat in and make such a commitment.

“I guess you never know. Long-term, the hope still is that we draft well, we develop great hitters. I still believe that’s the recipe for success. But when you have foundational pieces like we do right now as far as Devers and [Jung Hoo] Lee and [Matt] Chapman and [Willy] Adames and [Heliot] Ramos is coming on strong, you feel like you’re in a good position. Now it’s up to us as a group to get some of those homegrown players up here and continue to put great players out.”

Similarly to adding a superstar hitter in free agency, the Giants now are on the hook for an eye-popping contract, with Devers set to make roughly $250 million over the next eight-plus seasons after the 28-year-old originally signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension with Boston in Jan. 2023.

However, the three-time MLB All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger could be worth every penny.

Devers has a career .850 OPS, and in 73 games with Boston this season, batted .272/.401/.504 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI and 56 walks in 334 plate appearances.

He now joins a Giants’ lineup that, despite significant moves for Adames, Chapman and Lee over the last two offseasons, still has felt one big bat short at times.

Not anymore.

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On the field, he’s produced the first 50-50 season in baseball history and won a World Series. Off it, he’s sold everything from unsweetened green tea to skin-care products.

As it was, it felt as if Shohei Ohtani was everywhere. In reality, this was just half of the package.

The Dodgers are finally about to have the complete version of Ohtani, the right-handed pitcher with a 100-mph fastball who also launches 470-foot homers as a left-handed hitter.

Two-Way Shohei is back.

Ohtani will pitch his first game for the Dodgers on Monday, the team naming him as its starter for the opening game of a four-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

What was already a one-of-a-kind show will evolve into something that might never be seen again after Ohtani retires — not at Dodger Stadium, not at any other major league stadium, not anywhere in the world.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani to make his Dodgers pitching debut Monday vs. Padres

The news of Ohtani’s mound return became a source of anticipation in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, with Clayton Kershaw describing himself as “super excited.”

“I think we all are,” Kershaw said. “I think as fans of the game and just seeing him day in and day out get ready to pitch and do both, it’s going to be really fun, whether it’s one inning or whatever it is.”

The Dodgers plan to deploy Ohtani for an inning or two as an opener.

For most of this season, the Dodgers operated under the assumption that Ohtani wouldn’t pitch until after the All-Star break. The change of plans doesn’t represent a speeding up of a timeline as much as it does a modification of the route that will be taken to a final destination.

Ohtani last pitched in 2023 when he was still playing for the Angels, and he didn’t pitch in his first season for the Dodgers last year as he recovered from his second Tommy John surgery.

In recent weeks, he prepared for his mound return by pitching to hitters in live batting practice. He threw 44 pitches in three innings in his third and most recent session.

However, throwing live batting practice and taking four or five at-bats in an actual game as a designated hitter was like “playing a doubleheader for him,” Roberts said.

To eliminate the exhausting cycle of warming up to throw, cooling down after, and warming up again to play a game, the Dodgers figured they could build up Ohtani’s arm in games. Whatever modest Ohtani’s contributions can make from the mound, the Dodgers will take them. With multiple starters on the injured list, the bullpen has shouldered a disproportionate share of the pitching load.

Because Ohtani wouldn’t take up an extra roster spot, Kershaw pointed out, “We don’t have to lose a pitcher or anything, so if he throws an inning a week, it’s great.”

Ohtani will likely pitch about once a week, with every start expected to be about an inning longer than the previous one. Theoretically, he could pitch four times before the All-Star break, which would stretch him out to be ready to pitch five innings when the Dodgers resume play.

While Ohtani remains in a ramp-up phase and his fastball has sat in the 94-95 mph range in his live bullpen sessions, still not at the 98-99 mph he once averaged. However, team officials believe he is ready to compete at the major league level because of the movement of his pitches.

Ohtani evidently thinks so as well.

“I think I’m approaching a level that is sufficient to pitch in games,” Ohtani said in Japanese on Saturday night.

His 25 homers are the most in the National League. He is also batting .297 with 41 runs batted in. The Dodgers’ leadoff hitter, he’s also stolen 11 bases.

Read more:After pregame trade disrupts Giants, Dodgers power their way to series victory

Ohtani said didn’t think his offensive production would be diminished by pitching.

“I played as just a DH last year,” he said, “but to do both at the same time is my usual style.”

Ohtani played six seasons with the Angels, and he was a two-way player in four of them. His last three seasons with them made up what was arguably the greatest three-year stretch in the history of the sport, as he won two MVP awards and would have won a third if not for a 62-home season by Aaron Judge.

He has an opportunity now to match, or even surpass, that. Only this time, he will do so on a team that has a chance to reward him for his unprecedented achievements with the postseason glory he craves.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Chaotic moments that unfolded after Giants' stunning Devers trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LOS ANGELES — About 30 minutes before the beginning of the game, Sean Hjelle was told that he would be making his first career start on Sunday Night Baseball at Dodger Stadium. Ten minutes later, he found out why.

Kyle Harrison had been in the bullpen getting ready for one of the biggest starts of his own career when he was called back into the clubhouse. Along with Jordan Hicks, he was traded to Boston for Rafael Devers, and as players prepared for the Dodgers, they also gave out hugs and said their goodbyes to the two pitchers. 

The Devers trade is a season-altering moment for the Giants, but as it happened, it also was pure chaos. 

Bob Melvin had known for a while that Buster Posey was on the prowl, but he didn’t hear that the deal was officially done until he was walking into the dugout for the start of the game. Willy Adames was so fired up that he forgot to stretch. Hjelle started his own warm-up routine as the national anthem was being performed. 

“It was a new experience for me,” Hjelle said. “I’ve never really been in the clubhouse when there’s a trade done, especially a so-called blockbuster trade like what happened today. It’s a little unfortunate that I didn’t get to give Harry and Jordan a fair goodbye and farewell, so I’ll be reaching out to those guys later.”

The news became public exactly 20 minutes before first pitch, and as reporters scrambled to get confirmations, it wasn’t hard to see that something was in the works. Hjelle easily is identifiable as he gets loose, even from 400 feet away, and he then went out and gave the Giants 3 2/3 innings a day after their bullpen had to soak up a heavy workload in a blowout. Hjelle said he told Melvin and pitching coach J.P. Martinez that he would “empty the tank.”

“Just run me,” he told them. “Squeeze me dry.”

Hjelle threw 54 pitches, his most in two years. Then, it got really strange. 

As he worked his way through the third inning, an unfamiliar face got up in the bullpen. The scoreboard at Dodger Stadium put up a graphic announcing that Joey Lucchesi — who hadn’t been announced as being on the roster, and wasn’t known to be on the 40-man roster — was warming up. Lucchesi was in big-league camp, but he had spent all season in Triple-A before quietly joining the Giants in Los Angeles as a member of the taxi squad. 

The Giants got all the necessary paperwork to MLB in time, but it was close. Lucchesi took Harrison’s roster spot before the deal was announced by both teams. 

“It was a lot, and it was late,” Melvin said, smiling. “You know what, to get it done, though, this is something we really needed.”

Melvin met with both departing pitchers, along with team leaders Matt Chapman and Adames. Word spread quickly through the clubhouse and on the field, where some position players were stretching. Adames at some point found a few moments to exchange texts with Devers, who told him he would fly to San Francisco on Monday.

“It just happened so quickly before the game and it just spread out quickly here in the clubhouse,” Adames said. “It was a mix of feelings in the clubhouse because some of the guys were getting ready to start the game and we just found out like that. Obviously it’s a mix of feelings for (Hicks and Harrison) … everybody was here, it was like 20 minutes before the game and everybody was about to go out and it was like, ‘Oh wait, Harrison is not pitching anymore. He got traded. Oh, what’s going on, for who?’ Everybody was all over the place but everybody got excited.”

A couple hours earlier, Melvin had sat in the dugout and given a coy answer when asked for his rotation for the upcoming series against the Cleveland Guardians. He said Robbie Ray would start Tuesday, but it was TBD after that. The Giants expect Justin Verlander back in the coming days, and there’s now no question about how they’ll open a rotation spot.

Harrison had hoped to pitch well enough Sunday that he would stay in the mix, but he’s now a member of a new organization. That spot goes back to Verlander, but for one night at least — and on national TV — it belonged to Hjelle, a last-minute fill-in who was drafted and developed as a starter but made his first 85 big-league appearances out of the bullpen. 

“Not what I had envisioned, no,” Hjelle said. “A few more kinks and hoops to jump through on the day as a whole team and organization. That was the first one down, and if it happens again, it happens again — great, my name is called and I’ll grab the ball, but it was cool that I got to have my first one. I got to have a start in the big leagues. That’s pretty awesome. Not everybody that plays this game can say that. I’ll take that, absolutely, and for that little small reason, it’s a special day.”

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