In a move that shook up the baseball world, the Boston Red Sox sent their slugging DH Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. For Red Sox followers, the trade might seem like a blow to their team’s immediate aspirations. But, according to the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, this isn’t a retreat for the 2025 ambitions.
The driver behind this significant acquisition is Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations. A former star who’s just stepped into the leadership spotlight, Posey has already made it clear that he won’t hesitate when it comes to snapping up players who can change the game for his team. For the Giants, landing Devers—a formidable bat with a .905 OPS—marks a bold move to strengthen a lineup that’s been missing serious power since Barry Bonds’ golden days.
Devers’ addition couldn’t come at a more pivotal moment. With the Giants trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by just a game in the NL West, acquiring a potent offensive weapon like Devers could be the game-changer they need. They’re now 2.5 games back heading into Tuesday’s action, but more importantly, the team secured the offensive boost they’ve been craving.
Giants pitcher Logan Webb summed it up perfectly: “We’re getting a guy back that changes the lineup.” The stats back him up. A three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, Devers is hitting .272/.401/.504 over 73 games with 15 homers and 58 RBIs this season alone. He’s a consistent power hitter, notching at least 27 homers in every full season since 2019.
All this is even more impressive considering Oracle Park’s reputation as a pitcher-friendly venue. According to Statcast’s Park Metric, it’s one of the more challenging environments for hitters. Despite this, the Giants have chosen to counter their long-standing lack of power hitters—having not seen a 30-homer season since Bonds—with Devers’ reliable bat.
While the Giants have proven they can clinch titles without relying heavily on power-filled lineups—winning three World Series from 2010-2014—the current dynamics of the NL West require a new approach. FanGraphs puts their chances of winning the division at only 7.8%, but with Devers, their playoff hopes are a brighter 64.7%.
Giants shortstop Willy Adames, who has known Devers for a decade, adds another layer by highlighting the mutual respect among the team’s fixtures. “From what I know from him, he likes to know things. He wants you to communicate, talk to him and be honest,” Adames shared, emphasizing the honest culture Buster Posey embodies.
Adames also noted, “It sends a message: that we want to win, and [Posey]’s going to do whatever it takes to put the best team out there for us to go out there and compete.”
Buster Posey’s direct approach resonates with the moves Texas Rangers GM Chris Young has made—using his player instincts to bring in powerhouse pieces and guide the team to a World Series title. Like Young, Posey seems poised to act decisively rather than overanalyze, and his focus appears laser-sharp on building a winner now.
With Devers in the fold, the Giants transition from being merely playoff contenders to serious championship threats. With a third-ranked NL starting rotation and a top-ten bullpen, their offseason ambitions are clear. While Boston sticks to their process-driven method, Posey lays down a marker of decisive leadership, proving that sometimes the boldest moves offer the richest rewards.
