MLB Insider Shreds Red Sox for Rafael Devers Trade

“Yes, Devers made mistakes here, and yes, he perhaps should have acted in a different way,” Rosenthal said on the latest episode of Foul Territory. 

However, Rosenthal quickly shifted the blame on the Red Sox for sparking issues with Devers, which he believes led to the slugger's demoralized mindset.

“This all started when they failed to include him in communication when they were going after [Alex] Bregman. That’s how it all started. And they turned a player, who they’ve known since he was 16 and has always had a reputation as kind of a sweet guy, into somewhat of a sourpuss. That is on them.”

Rosenthal then scoffed at the idea that Devers was a bad influence on Boston’s young prospects and is holding the organization accountable for the trade.

“This whole situation that they determined they had to rectify because, of course, he was going to pollute the minds of their young players. That’s on them too. They initiated with their actions and lack of communication. To me, this is as much, if not more, on the Red Sox than it is on Rafael Devers."

Devers has yet to speak about his departure from Boston. But with the latter scheduled to visit the San Francisco Giants this Friday, he will have an opportunity for some on-the-field revenge sooner rather than later.