Rafael Devers trade creates new Giants problem

Much has been (and will be) made of the seismic Boston Red Sox-San Francisco Giants trade involving star third baseman Rafael Devers. 

But is it possible that the Giants have created a new conundrum in the aftermath of this trade, at least for the time being? 

With Devers in the fold, San Francisco now employs two All-Star-level third basemen, the other being Matt Chapman. The same Chapman, we might add, who is a five-time Gold Glove winner at the hot corner and a player worth nearly three bWAR at third base in 2025. 

Normally, this would be a "good" problem to have. But Devers is not a player to take one "for the team," as evidenced by his ultimate demise in Boston. Simply put, he's not willing to change positions and he's been adamant about that.

The caveat here, of course, is that Devers will be the one doing the usurping here, whereas with the Red Sox, Alex Bregman was the new sheriff in town on a short-term deal. 

Regardless, this move will create an intriguing dynamic between two of the highest-paid third basemen in San Francisco, just like what unfolded in Boston. Chapman's six-year, $151 million extension isn't small potatoes by any means, though it's less than the 10-year, $313.5 million Devers received before last season.

That doesn't mean the swing wasn't worth taking for new Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey. In the interim, Devers can fill in at third base for Chapman, who is currently on the shelf with a sprained right hand, but is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon.

Chapman's eventual return, therefore, means San Francisco will face an inflection point. Could it now trade the veteran third baseman this summer to clear this new hot corner logjam, particularly with several contenders in need of a third base solution?

Conversely, would Chapman's contract create an obstacle for teams in a potential deal, especially since the Giants are reportedly eating the majority of Devers' money in this trade? More than likely, San Francisco would want to offset Chapman's contract in a deal to help balance out Devers. 

No matter how this situation unfolds, however, one thing is for sure: San Francisco got better with the acquisition of Devers as it looks to keep pace in a competitive National League West race, while Boston continues to look to the future.