Rafael Devers trade not working out as Giants hoped

The San Francisco Giants thought they had added the missing piece in their lineup when they acquired designated hitter Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in June.

The then 41-31 Giants had scored 309 runs through June 16, which was 14th in the majors, and slashed .233/.312/.377 with 70 homers through their first 72 games. As their pitching staff had a third-best 3.30 ERA in MLB, another impact bat appeared to be the missing piece.

Devers fit the bill of what San Francisco had been looking for. He had produced a .272/.401/.504 batting line in 334 plate appearances with the Red Sox in 2025, hitting 15 homers and 18 doubles. Devers also boasted at least 27 homers in every full season since 2019. 

However, he has struggled since arriving in San Francisco, batting a disappointing .224/.329/.373 in 158 plate appearances entering Wednesday, with four homers and eight doubles. The Giants' offense has fallen apart as well, having scored a major league-worst 133 runs since Devers made his team debut on June 17, with a 13-23 record in that span.

Those struggles have pushed the Giants out of a playoff berth and changed the course of their season. They are now sellers, with Jon Morosi from MLB Network reporting that they're listening to offers on relievers. San Francisco is, once again, focusing on next year as it looks for a way to return to the postseason.