The San Francisco Giants are reportedly looking for a fresh start—and that could mean saying goodbye to one of their biggest offseason acquisitions, Rafael Devers.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Giants would "love to unload" Devers and other high-priced veterans as they consider a roster overhaul. The struggling slugger, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox last June in a blockbuster deal, has yet to find his footing in San Francisco.
This season, Devers is hitting just .232/.276/.364 with four strikeouts in 40 games. His minus-0.5 fWAR ties him with Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar for the worst mark in the National League—a far cry from the production the Giants expected from a three-time All-Star.
The trade, which sent four players to Boston, initially looked like a bold move. But with Devers owed $28.5 million per year for the next seven seasons, the Giants face a high-stakes gamble if his struggles continue. While there are signs of life—Devers has posted a 1.049 OPS in May—finding a trade partner willing to take on that contract won't be easy.
The Giants are also reportedly open to moving shortstop Willy Adames, third baseman Matt Chapman, and Jung Hoo Lee, though all are slumping veterans with hefty long-term deals. Instead, Nightengale suggests the team might focus on trading pitcher Robbie Ray, who is a free agent this offseason and has impressed with a 2.76 ERA over eight starts.
For Giants fans, it's a tough pill to swallow. But in the world of baseball, sometimes a reset is the only way forward.