Rafael Devers Trade Sparks Outrage Among Red Sox Fans

Rafael Devers is now a member of the San Francisco Giants, igniting a wave of anger among Boston Red Sox supporters.

The three-time All-Star was traded Sunday evening, mere moments after the Red Sox celebrated a sweep of the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

"It shocked everybody," remarked a local sports analyst with over three decades of experience covering the team. "The immediate reaction is going to be everyone's ticked off. I don't blame them. This feels like a Mookie Betts move for what they're giving up," he elaborated.

Devers expressed dissatisfaction with the team's decision to shift him from third base to designated hitter, ultimately declining a request to transition to first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in May.

In exchange for Devers, the Red Sox acquired four players, none of whom are regarded as top-tier prospects or comparable to Devers, who had recently signed an 11-year, $331 million extension with the team.

"The important thing is they're trading the rest of the $250 million contract. San Francisco is taking on the entire thing and they're getting a good bat," the analyst noted.

Fans gathered outside Fenway Park voiced their discontent with the trade.

"We were all excited. We just swept the Yankees. We love our team and instead of being excited, I'm devastated," one fan lamented. "It's wild. We have traded Mookie Betts and Devers in the last five years. Our two best players and we got, essentially, nothing in return for either of them."

"I'm shocked. This is a terrible trade. Rafael is their star player and it's going to ruin the Sox," another fan added. "I honestly think they're just doing it for the money."

"This doesn't even make sense," a third fan chimed in.

"I think Red Sox fans have a right to be ticked off," the analyst reiterated. "But I think this was more about long-term strategy and flexibility in various positions across the field."

Red Sox President Sam Kennedy and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow are scheduled to hold a news conference Monday to address questions surrounding the trade.

"It will be interesting to see what happens now that all of the rookies have come up," another fan remarked.

"Will it be a mistake? Time will tell," the analyst concluded. "The franchise player now is Roman Anthony, and everyone around baseball feels that way."

The Red Sox will face Devers again on Friday when they kick off a weekend series against the Giants in San Francisco.