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In what is likely the most shocking trade in the history of the Red Sox — or, at least the last five years of the Red Sox — superstar DH Rafael Devers has been traded to the San Francisco Giants. The Giants assume the entirety of Devers’ $254 million contract. In return, the Red Sox are receiving RHP Jordan Hicks, LHP Kyle Harrison, OF James Tibbs III, and RHP Jose Bello. In lieu of an opinion piece, which will absolutely come later, let’s discuss the newest members of the Boston Red Sox’s organization.
RHP Jordan Hicks
Hicks is currently on the injured list with a toe injury, but prior to the ailment, he amassed a 6.47 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, with 43 strikeouts over 48.2 innings pitched this year. Hicks was somewhat of a coveted free agent before he signed with the Giants in free agency before the 2024 season. He features a four-pitch mix: a sinker that averages 97.3 MPH, a sweeper that averages 82.4 MPH, a four-seam fastball that averages 97.2 MPH, and a splitter that averages 89 MPH. He was a supplemental pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 and featured flashes of elite stuff before he leveled off and was shuttled between their starting rotation and bullpen. He looks to bounce back with the Red Sox once he returns from injury as a member of the starting rotation, though a future in the bullpen shouldn't be counted out if the team wants a long-ish term closing option in place before dealing Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline.
LHP Kyle Harrison
Harrison is likely viewed as the prize in this deal, though the next player may have something to say about that. He’s already been assigned to Triple-A Worcester, which shouldn’t be much of a shock. The pitching coaches in Boston will want to tinker with his mechanics to get him game ready, but he should see time at the major league level sooner than later. He likely will slot in as a starting pitcher for the Sox once Boston helps him stretch back out into a starter. In the majors this year he has a 4.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, with 25 strikeouts over 23.2 innings pitched. He features a three-pitch mix: a four-seam fastball that averages at 95.1 MPH, a slurve that averages 83.1 MPH, and a change-up that averages 87 MPH. He’s not a pitcher that will blow you away by any means, but there’s enough under the hood that warrants some attention. Harrison was Baseball America’s 26 overall prospect and MLB Pipeline’s 23rd overall prospect entering 2024. He has graduated from prospect status but has the pedigree to be a big contributor once he figures out the big leagues.
OF James Tibbs III
Tibbs comes to the organization from the Giants’ High-A affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds. He’s a power-first outfielder who is slashing .246/.478/.857. He has 12 homers and three stolen bases in 207 at-bats. He rose to High-A fairly quickly in 2024 and looks to make the same move up once he arrives in Greenville. He was the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Florida State. He was the fourth-ranked prospect in the Giants’ system, and should ascend to a similar status once the Big Three graduate. Where he has shined so far is his walk rate (16.3%); he shows great discipline for a young prospect. He will be one to watch as he progresses through the system.
RHP Jose Bello
Bello was signed as an international free agent in 2023 by the Giants. He is currently assigned to their Rookie-level affiliate where he has a 1-0 record, 2.00 ERA, two saves, a 0.72 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts over 18 innings pitched. He has floated around the low levels of the Giants’ system since signing and has not been ranked within the Giants’ top 30 prospects during his time in the system, per MassLive. However, FanGraphs did have him up at 22 in San Francisco's system.
The biggest thing the Red Sox did by dealing Rafael Devers was clear the remainder of his salary off the books. They have saved $254 million by having the Giants agree to take on the entirety of his contract, lessening the return. The biggest question that remains now is: What does the front office hope to do with that money? Your guess is as good as mine. Only time will tell if the Red Sox can stomach trading another franchise superstar within the decade.
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