Executive slams Red Sox's handling of Rafael Devers trade

The Boston Red Sox's handling of the Rafael Devers trade reportedly angered a National League executive.

The exec felt they treated the infielder/designated hitter unfairly before trading him to the San Francisco Giants on June 16.

"What stands out the most is just how brutal the communication [with Devers] was on their side," he told The Athletic's Jayson Stark. "It's made me think about how we treat players [in this organization] — how players are treated and respected, and the value of good communication, and how that affects and creates culture.

"You know it's easy to throw stones at other teams. I get that. I just know that in our organization, we function on communication, culture and support, on positivity and curiosity. And these things are just what's built into our organization, from top to bottom. So I can't even fathom that happening." 

The tension between the Red Sox and Devers stemmed from the team switching his position. 

He initially didn't want to move from third base to DH, but he obliged. When Boston asked him to move to first after starting first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending left knee injury, he refused and blasted the front office. 

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow admitted Devers never formally requested a trade, despite his reservations about the position changes. The three-time All-Star indicated he suspected Boston would move him, but he wasn't begging the team to go elsewhere. 

"I was surprised when it happened, but knew it was coming," Devers told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. "I know the business of baseball, I saw it happen with [Mookie] Betts when he got traded. That kind of prepared me for what happened." 

Devers has looked streaky through his first 19 games with the Giants, slashing .239/.353/.394 with two home runs and nine RBI. The Red Sox, however, have failed to improve since the blockbuster deal. 

Entering Monday, Boston (46-45) was fourth in the American League East, and FanGraphs Baseball gave them a 25.7% chance to make the postseason. 

Even more concerning for the Red Sox, the Devers trade has seemingly damaged their reputation throughout baseball, which could make rebuilding more challenging after missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.