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Rafael Devers has joined the San Francisco Giants with a fresh start and a renewed enthusiasm for his team, despite the first game against his former team not going as expected.
However, while the blockbuster trade solved the immediate issue of a hitter, it hasn’t yet solved the secondary need of a first baseman ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Devers went 0-for-5 in Friday’s 7-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox as the Giants’ designated hitter.
More News: MLB Insider Reveals Turning Point Between Red Sox, Devers Before Trade To Giants
As San Francisco skipper Bob Melvin made clear before the game, that will be his position for now as he settles in.
It would have been rash to put Devers at first base in his first game against the Red Sox, especially since that was the reason he left.
As Jesse Rogers from ESPN.com reports, it is encouraging for the Giants that Devers' refusal to play first base was specific to his time in Boston.
More News: Giants Will Not Use Rafael Devers at First Base During Series Against Red Sox
Devers spoke through an interpreter on Friday and explained that the timing and lack of communication caused the discontent.
"I put up some good numbers in Boston, and I feel like I earned some respect," Devers said through an interpreter. "If they would have asked me at the beginning of spring training, yes, I would have played first."
With Devers having never played first base in the majors, the request to learn a new position two months into the season pushed the DH away from the organization.
Things appear to be different in San Francisco, where there’s no rush to employ him in a new role, instead moving Wilmer Flores there.
More News: What Are Giants' NL West Rivals Predicted To Do Ahead of Trade Deadline?
The Giants also have a long-term answer to the role played by top prospect Bryce Eldridge, which eases the situation.
The key to the relationship breakdown in Boston wasn’t the position itself. It was the approach to communicating , or the lack thereof.
That, and the fact that it was all preceded by the Red Sox signing Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman in spring training, which is when Boston asked Devers to move to DH.
More News: Rafael Devers Trade Sets Up Huge San Francisco Giants-Boston Red Sox Series
San Francisco has made strong moves this season, as the flurry of roster moves that got rid of Lamonte Wade Jr. jolted the team to keep the momentum going into the trade for Devers.
It would’ve been easy to ask Devers to fill that same need on their roster. By not electing to do that, they may have landed themselves a willing eventual first baseman in return.
For more Giants news, head over to Giants On SI.
More must-reads:
- MLB abandons plans for 2026 London Series
- Dodgers have intriguing plan for Shohei Ohtani — and it just might work
- The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
Regardless of what happens in October, the summer of 2025 will be remembered as the summer of Cal Raleigh. Raleigh has smashed record after record this season, starting in August when he became the first catcher to hit 50 home runs in one season. On Tuesday – in his MLB-leading 10th multi-home run game of the season – he passed Mickey Mantle for the most home runs by a switch-hitter in a season with his 55th before tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs by a Mariner on his 56th against the Kansas City Royals. The most recent homers also came in a 12-5 win that marked 10-straight for the surging Mariners, who have finally overtaken the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West. Which brings us to today’s quiz. A major league switch-hitter has hit at least 35 home runs on 35 occasions in MLB history. How many of the switch-hitters to reach that milestone can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Raiders' Pete Carroll admits disappointing truth about Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes and expectations when they took Boise State phenom Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. It's becoming increasingly rare to see running backs drafted so high, but after watching him post one of the single greatest seasons in college football history, he looked more than worthy of that honor. So far, however, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist has looked quite mortal in his first two games in the pros. Ashton Jeanty hasn't gotten off to a fast start in the NFL He logged 38 yards and one score in his NFL debut, and then logged just 43 yards on 11 carries in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. That's why Raiders head coach Pete Carroll had to admit that they needed to take things slowly with Jeanty. While he acknowledged that they hadn't done much to put Jeanty in a position to succeed, he remains optimistic about the RB's prospects. "We're just getting started (with Jeanty)," Carroll told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He's breaking into the NFL. He's figuring it out. He'll get more carries. We have to run the ball more effectively. We only got (68 yards), and that's not enough. We need more than that. We're bringing (Jeanty) along. More will come." Ashton Jeanty knows he has to do better Jeanty is averaging 2.7 yards per attempt, which is a far cry from his 6.4 yards per carry in college. At least he knows he has to be better, and he believes it's just a matter of time before he gets used to the speed of the pros. "Last week it was on me, I didn't do a good job of reading the plays. I'll put it on myself again this week," Jeanty said. "Just getting used to the speed, honestly. Last week kind of felt like I was moving a little slower, this week felt better. Still not there yet, but once it happens, it will be good." Jeanty continued commenting on the situation on Wednesday. He didn't mince words. Jeanty has posted the fewest rushing yards (81) among players with at least 30 carries, and his next chance to turn the page will come in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders' beatable run defense.
Kyle Shanahan has surprising Brock Purdy update — 49ers are confident in QB situation regardless
Chargers star Khalil Mack's outlook is better than expected
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack will be out for a few weeks after dislocating his elbow during Monday night’s matchup with the Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Who will take Khalil Mack's place for the Los Angeles Chargers? The injury is not season-ending, but Los Angeles will need one of its depth outside linebackers to take Mack’s place for the time being. That will likely be veteran Bud Dupree, who replaced Mack on Monday and has significantly more experience than third-year UDFA Caleb Murphy or fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard. At the moment, it seems unlikely that the Chargers will make a signing to bolster their OLB depth. Mack’s injury is not expected to be long-term, and the pool of free-agent edge-rushers has suddenly dried up after both Preston Smith and Jadeveon Clowney signed with new teams this week. The Chargers did host their rival's former draft bust on a visit. Instead, the Chargers’ plan will likely be as follows: Dupree will start, with Murphy receiving a bump in snaps as the No. 3 edge-rusher and Kennard making his NFL debut after two healthy scratches to start the year. The team was comfortable with only four active outside linebackers in Weeks 1 and 2, so it may not feel the need to make an elevation from the practice squad. Mack, 34, was quiet in Week 1 against the Chiefs but looked better on Monday with one sack and one tackle for loss in Las Vegas. He re-signed with the Chargers this offseason on a one-year, $18M deal after six sacks in 2024.
Fantasy football Week 3: Five players who could smash their projections
Week 3 is a pivotal week in fantasy football, especially for all the 0-2 owners out there. Thankfully, we're here to help with some under-the-radar smash spots for the Week 3 NFL slate. Bengals QB Jake Browning vs. Vikings PPR projection: 15.8 Browning replaced Joe Burrow last week and finished the game with two passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and 17.7 fantasy points. He won't be able to replicate Burrow's production in this offense, but Browning's aggressiveness gives him huge upside due to the talent surrounding him. Browning faced Brian Flores' defense two years ago and put up 324 passing yards and two touchdowns. Titans RB Tony Pollard vs. Colts PPR projection: 14.7 Pollard is dominating the backfield touches for Tennessee early on. The former Dallas Cowboy has played 89 percent of the offensive snaps through two weeks and already has 39 touches for 181 yards. This is also a much easier matchup against the Colts, which rank 29th in the NFL in yards allowed per rush (5.4) through two games. Vikings RB Jordan Mason vs. Bengals PPR projection: 14.7 This is the moment Mason owners have been waiting for since their draft. The Vikings placed Aaron Jones on injured reserve this week, so Mason is primed to serve as Minnesota's bellcow running back for the next month. He should see 20 touches against a Bengals defense that gave up 17.3 PPR points to Dylan Sampson and 16.9 to Travis Etienne. Fire Mason up as a borderline RB1 this week. Packers WR Matthew Golden vs. Browns PPR projection: 8.8 Golden is off to a slow start with just four targets, two catches and 16 receiving yards through two games, but the breakout performance is coming. The rookie wide receiver played 59 percent of Green Bay's offensive snaps, second behind only Romeo Doubs' 74 percent. Golden leads the NFL in average separation score, per Fantasy Points Data, so we just need Jordan Love to look his way more often. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts vs. Panthers PPR projection: 9.5 Pitts is finally finding some success in this Falcons offense. The first-round pick has 13 targets, 11 catches and 96 receiving yards through two games. He's also played nearly 80 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps, and his 21 percent target share is the highest of his career. In Carolina's two games this season, the opposing tight end led their team in receiving yards both times. Pitts should feast against these linebackers.
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