Rafael Devers Thanks Red Sox in First Public Comments Since Controversial Trade

"First of all," Devers said through a translator. "I just want to thank the Boston Red Sox organization for signing me at 16 and giving me the opportunity to become a big leaguer."

For his first public comments after the trade, and despite all of the hit pieces that were made on Devers for his reluctance and refusal to play first base, amid other issues, his comments were tame.

He thanked the Red Sox for bringing him into the league and for getting his Major League career started. With how it ended, it would not have been a surprise if there was more animosity publicly about getting traded the way he was.

Devers played for the Red Sox his entire career before being traded, and he was a huge reason why the team was able to be as successful as it was. Over his nine-year Red Sox career, Dever compiled 1,163 hits, 663 runs scored, 273 doubles, 12 triples, 215 home runs, and 696 RBIs.

He was also named an All-Star three times and won two Silver Slugger awards in 2021 and 2023. Devers also earned MVP votes five times in his career, though he never finished better than 11th.

But throughout his nine seasons in Boston, Devers became a Red Sox legend and fan favorite. While his time in the city and organization is done, Devers is still playing baseball, this time on the opposite side of the country with the Giants in San Francisco.