Rafael Devers is focusing on the upcoming season with the San Francisco Giants after his mid-2025 trade from the Boston Red Sox. While preparing for his first full year with the Giants, Devers faced recent comments from Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, who revisited some of the conflicts that marked Devers’ final months in Boston.
Former Red Sox Chairman Expresses Disappointment
During his last season with the Red Sox, Devers dealt with various off-field issues. The team’s pursuit of Alex Bregman, who was expected to take over Devers’ defensive responsibilities, reportedly created friction. Additionally, reports emerged that Devers was reluctant to move to first base following Triston Casas’ knee injury, which sidelined Casas for the season. These complications contributed to Devers’ trade just under two years into a 10-year contract.
Though the move happened eight months ago, Werner brought up these concerns again during an interview with the Boston Globe. He said,
“I don’t like to speak ill of any player. I’d like to say that he’s a wonderful person,”
but added,
“But, of course, when we had an injury at first base [to Triston Casas], his unwillingness to play that position was extremely discouraging… It was a discouraging episode… Just pick up a glove.”
Devers Declines to Revisit Old Issues
Devers showed little interest in rehashing his past troubles when approached by Bay Area media during Giants spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. Through his interpreter Erwin Higueros, he emphasized moving on.
“That’s in the past. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s over. I don’t have any opinions on what he said. So, let’s concentrate here and just leave the past in the past.”
Contributions and Commitment to the Giants
Since joining the Giants, Devers has settled into a key role as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, filling a much-needed position. Although his initial performance in San Francisco was modest—he posted a .236 batting average with a .347 on-base percentage and .460 slugging, alongside 20 home runs and 51 RBIs across 90 games in 2025—his presence has been felt. Notably, he hit his first home run as a Giant against his former team shortly after the trade.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Devers is targeting 30 home runs for San Francisco, and he is diligently working on his hitting during spring training. In addition, he chose to skip the World Baseball Classic to focus on refining his defense with guidance from Giants infield coach Ron Washington. Washington noted,
“He’s working his butt off. He’s been making the adjustments you have to make.”
Giants manager Tony Vitello also praised Devers’ attitude, saying,
“He’s pretty passionate about how well the team does, not just himself.. He takes ownership of that craft.”
Whatever previous reluctance Werner mentioned, Devers appears fully committed to his role for the Giants as the new season approaches.
Rafael Devers (via interpreter Erwin Higueros) on this: “That’s in the past. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s over. I don’t have any opinions on what he said. So, let’s concentrate here and just leave the past in the past.” https://t.co/saTacwSN9E
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) February 17, 2026
