The San Francisco Giants are entering the post-All-Star break stretch with clear playoff aspirations, having made an unexpected move well before the trade deadline.
Following the additions of seasoned veterans like Willy Adames and Justin Verlander over the winter, President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey traded for star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. With Devers still owed over \$250 million, this move signals the Giants’ belief that they are in the midst of a championship-contending window.
Unfortunately, the early returns on the Devers trade haven’t been great for the Giants.
Devers was slashing .272/.401/.504 for the Red Sox this season before the move and he has logged a .202/.330/.326 line with just two homers in his 109 at-bats with the Giants since then. Though it’s too early to hit the panic button on the slugger, Posey attempted to reassure fans with a message about their new slugger as concerns grow.
“What can you tell fans about that very, very tough first month for Devers and how are you processing it?” Posey was asked during a recent appearance on KNBR radio.
“This guy’s been in one organization his entire life,” Posey responded, per KNBR. “Now to come over and everything is different. Not just the ballpark and teammates but where you’re living. So it’s an adjustment period. … It’s just a matter of time before he gets going.”
Giants fans might take some comfort in remembering Devers’ slow start to the season, which eventually gave way to a scorching hot streak just before he was traded. He even made history as the first player in Major League Baseball to record at least 12 strikeouts in his first four games.
For the time being, Posey and the Giants can chalk up Devers’ underwhelming debut to a temporary slump, despite growing concerns among the fanbase.
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