Devers faces hostile reception at Fenway Park in first game since trade
The three-time All-Star was booed by Boston fans during his return to the stadium, highlighting the lingering tensions from his dispute with the Red Sox front office.
Rafael Devers returned to Fenway Park on Friday for his first game against the Boston Red Sox since being traded to the San Francisco Giants in June 2025. The visit was marked by a mixed crowd reaction, with boos largely overpowering cheers during pregame introductions and his first at-bat.
The tension stems from Devers’ pre-trade dispute with the Red Sox, particularly with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Devers had protested a switch from third base to designated hitter and publicly criticised the front office for its handling of the roster.
Batting second in the Giants’ lineup, Devers struck out looking on four pitches from Boston starter Sonny Gray. The at-bat served as a immediate reminder of the strained relationship between the player and the organisation that drafted him.
The friction began when Boston signed Alex Bregman as a free agent, leading to Devers’ eventual move to the designated hitter role. However, the issue resurfaced when first baseman Triston Casas ruptured his patellar tendon, and the Red Sox sought a replacement at the position.
Devers balked at being asked to play first base again during the season, criticising the front office for not finding a suitable first baseman and for not being truthful about his role. "I don't understand some of the decisions that the GM makes," Devers told reporters, including MassLive’s Christopher Smith.
Just over a month later, Devers was traded to the Giants, who took on the remaining eight years and $254.5 million of his 10-year contract. Shortly after the trade, he agreed to play first base for San Francisco, suggesting his issue was specific to the Red Sox management.
In his two seasons with San Francisco, Devers has recorded a .241/.331/.466 slash line with 45 home runs. This compares to a .279/.349/.510 slash line with 215 home runs in nine seasons with Boston.
