San Francisco Giants Double-A Affiliate Cries Poor After Rafael Devers Trade

The San Francisco Giants' payroll has exploded over the past 12 months, starting with the $151 million contract extension that third baseman Matt Chapman inked last August.

From there, the Giants went out and signed shortstop Willy Adames to a $182 million deal in free agency. Then, this past week, San Francisco traded for Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers, taking on the final eight seasons of his 10-year, $313.5 million contract.

With all that money going to superstar big-leaguers, the Giants' minor league affiliates may have to pinch some pennies for a bit.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Giants' Double-A squad, was on the road facing the Altoona Curve this week. Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley, the Flying Squirrels taped a sign up in their bullpen at Peoples Natural Gas Field, warning fans not to ask for free souvenirs.

"We cannot give you a ball," the note read. "We just traded for Devers and he costs a lot of $. Foul balls, yes we can hook you up."