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Shocking Giants-Red Sox blockbuster trade establishes new frontier in Dodgers rivalry

ByThomas Carannante|
Jun 1, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) shown in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jun 1, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) shown in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are entering a rubber match on Sunday Night Baseball, but this rivalry has just been taken up a notch. The Giants have a new star player as of Sunday afternoon.

Rafael Devers has reportedly been traded to the Giants in a package that includes Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and others, per FanSided's Robert Murray. San Francisco has taken on a completely different approach under Buster Posey and this is hands down the biggest move that might be made during his tenure.

He took advantage of a Boston Red Sox team treading water and in a precarious spot with their franchise player. In the offseason, the team moved Devers off third base to accommodate free agent signing Alex Bregman. But it was clear it came together rather quickly and Devers wasn't communicated with properly about the acquisition.

The drama hit a fever pitch when the Red Sox lost first baseman Triston Casas to a season-ending injury and then approached Devers about playing first base. Devers said no, there was a public spat between him and the organization, and it's been bubbling under the surface ever since.

The Red Sox are 37-36 and just came of a sweep of the New York Yankees where Devers once again took it to their chief rival. They just removed their best player from the equation in a move that has objectively stunned MLB.

Dodgers rival Giants trade for Rafael Devers in blockbuster trade

With the Giants threatening atop the NL West, this is has massive implications for the division race. One of the best hitters in the American League will also shift the entire National League playoff race. While the Dodgers deal with countless injuries, the Giants have been lucky on the health front and continue to acquire more talent and see players take the right steps forward.

The Giants' offense ranks 20th in the league and have still managed to remain one of the best teams in the league at 41-30. With Matt Chapman entrenched at third base once he's back from the IL, it's assumed Devers will be the full-time DH. This move easily could help the Giants jump closer to the top-10 in offense across the board. Devers' presence will help elevate others in the lineup.

The Dodgers are the Dodgers. They'll be fine. But they've already been looking over their shoulder all year, and their chief competition just made what could end up being the biggest move of the entire year. And we've got a long way to go.

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