Just three weeks after Rafael Devers’ blockbuster move from Boston to San Francisco, the All-Star slugger is already back in the New York Yankees rumor mill — not because of performance, but because of mounting dysfunction.
The former Red Sox cornerstone has struggled to find rhythm or rapport with his new team, and according to multiple reports, his off-field actions have raised eyebrows inside the Giants’ clubhouse. And while a Bronx move remains improbable, Devers is once again being whispered about in Yankees circles — a scenario that would’ve seemed unthinkable when the Red Sox sent him west in mid-June.
From AL East rival to National League misfit
The Giants traded for Rafael Devers on June 15, hoping to inject middle-of-the-order power into a team clinging to Wild Card hopes. But since arriving, the 27-year-old has done little to settle in — on or off the field.
Devers has appeared in 20 games for San Francisco, all as designated hitter, despite an early willingness to learn first base. His offensive line sits at a disappointing .234/.355/.377, with just two home runs and nine RBIs in 77 at-bats. More worrisome, however, are the signals coming out of the Giants’ camp regarding Devers’ effort level and adaptability.
Reports surfaced this week that Devers skipped a scheduled first base workout with Giants legend Will Clark, who had offered to help the slugger transition defensively. The optics? Not great — especially for a player still owed $250 million over eight years.
Devers becomes headache in San Francisco
Devers had worn out his welcome in Boston prior to the deal. Once considered the next face of the franchise, the third baseman clashed with the front office over defensive assignments throughout the offseason. He turned down internal plans to move to designated hitter, then rejected a shift to first base late in spring training.
While his bat kept him in the lineup — he hit .272 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs over 73 games — his unwillingness to adjust contributed to growing frustration inside the Red Sox clubhouse. That carried over to San Francisco.
“He didn’t show up,” Red Sox broadcaster Will Flemming said on WEEI Afternoons, referring to Devers’ missed workout with Clark. “So that’s the person that [the Red Sox] have been dealing with for a long time.”
The Giants expected a fresh start. Instead, they’re navigating the same personality issues that defined Devers’ final months in Boston.
A long shot for the Bronx — but not unthinkable
In his New York Post column, MLB insider Jon Heyman listed Devers as an “extreme long shot” in the Yankees’ third base search. But his inclusion at all is telling. The Yankees are known to monitor every available high-impact bat, even those with baggage.
“Devers still has $250 million to go,” Heyman noted, highlighting the steep financial barrier. That figure alone makes any trade to New York complex — especially for a player who’s shown little desire to field and hasn’t fully clicked at the plate.
But stranger things have happened. No one expected Boston to part with their franchise player. And no one expected the Giants — who already carry a bloated payroll and positional logjam — to be the destination.
For the Yankees, third base remains an unsettled position. Oswald Peraza is no longer a factor. DJ LeMahieu, though healthy, is aging and inconsistent. With the trade deadline approaching, New York is casting a wide net, targeting both short-term rentals and long-term solutions.
Yankees’ front office likely weighing risk vs. talent
It’s unclear whether Yankees GM Brian Cashman would even entertain the idea of bringing Devers to the Bronx. The left-handed power is tempting. The contract, however, is not.
Devers’ defensive reluctance is another red flag. He hasn’t played third base since early June. He hasn’t played first base at all — despite publicly stating, “It’s not a position I’m going to learn how to play overnight.”
In a vacuum, the Yankees need his bat. But not his baggage.
If the Giants eat significant salary — a scenario no one has confirmed — or if Devers were to open up to a role change, the conversation might shift. Until then, it’s little more than speculation.
What happens next?
Devers’ tenure in San Francisco is still young. The Giants could re-commit to helping him adapt. He could find his swing and silence critics with production. But if the tension continues, San Francisco may be forced to explore another trade — something unthinkable a $250 million investment just 18 months ago.
If that happens, the Yankees will be watching.
New York has been quiet so far this July. But internal sources indicate that the front office is working behind the scenes to address glaring lineup holes. A Devers-type bat — even with risk — could become more appealing if traditional trade options fall through.
Whether Devers is part of their contingency planning or just a name on a whiteboard, one thing is certain: his star is no longer untouchable. And with New York desperate to catch fire, all possibilities are on the table.
What do you think?
