Full Breakdown
Giants Eye Trade of Rafael Devers as Season Falters
6/19/2026, 1:35:47 AM
The Trade Rumor Landscape
The San Francisco Giants, sitting second-worst in the National League at 29-43, have publicly signaled openness to moving star third-baseman Rafael Devers. Reports indicate the club could entertain offers on Devers, as well as fellow high-salary acquisitions Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, within weeks of the All-Star break.
Recent Moves and Contract Burden
In the past 15 months the Giants splashed on former All-Stars—Matt Chapman, Willy Adames and Devers—after acquiring Devers from Boston in June 2025. Devers carries a 10-year, $313.5 million contract through 2033; the Giants assumed the full deal, which includes no no-trade clause. Analysts note the franchise would likely need to retain a portion of the remaining salary to make a trade viable.
Performance Metrics
Since the trade, Devers is hitting .235 with a .293 on-base percentage, .413 slugging and a .706 OPS. He has recorded nine home runs, 33 RBIs and an MLB-high 21 doubles, but his strikeout rate has risen to 30.3 percent—his highest ever. StatMuse lists him with 146 hits, 30 homers, 85 RBIs and 86 runs in 163 games, highlighting a discrepancy in reported totals.
Potential Destination Teams
- New York Yankees – Analysts argue Devers’ swing suits Yankee Stadium and he could serve as a healthier DH alternative to Giancarlo Stanton. However, the Yankees’ budget constraints and a possible forthcoming salary cap raise doubts about absorbing his contract.
- Toronto Blue Jays – Several commentators label Toronto the “best landing spot.” The Blue Jays need a reliable DH; Devers posted a .979 OPS at the Rogers Centre in his Boston tenure and has an OPS+ above 100 this season.
- Seattle Mariners – A move could see Devers shift to third base, but the Mariners already field a left-handed-heavy lineup, and his recent production has lagged the team’s existing options.
- Texas Rangers – The Rangers seek power but already have cheaper alternatives at first base (Jake Burger) and DH (Joc Pederson). Their recent salary-dump of Marcus Semien further tempers interest.
Official Statements & Responses
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel note that “nobody is taking Rafael Devers unless San Francisco pays down significantly the $211 million he is owed after this season or takes on bad contracts.” Buster Olney (ESPN) reported the Giants are “open to offers on their star players.” Jeff Passan also highlighted that Matt Chapman’s trade value is higher because his contract is less burdensome than Devers’ or Adames’.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics point to Devers’ regression: a career-average .846 OPS has dipped to .706 this year, and his strikeout surge undermines his value. The Rangers’ front office reportedly doubts a Devers acquisition before the All-Star break, preferring cheaper options like Pederson and Burger.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Devers’ season totals (9 HR/33 RBI vs. 30 HR/85 RBI) and on his contract size ($313.5 M total vs. $211 M remaining after 2025). Additionally, while some outlets cite a 30.3 % strikeout rate, others reference his historical 22 % baseline, leaving the exact magnitude of decline unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Rafael Devers is clearly much more comfortable when he's the DH, as he has an .841 in those assignments compared to a .662 OPS as a first baseman,” — Zachary D. Rymer, Bleacher Report
- “Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Objectively speaking, Devers makes perfect sense for the Yankees.” — Jake Elman, FanSided
- “The problem is the Yankees’ overall budget, especially with the possibility of a salary cap looming.” — Jake Elman, FanSided
- “Nobody is taking Rafael Devers unless San Francisco pays down significantly the $211 million he is owed after this season or takes on bad contracts,” — Jeff Passan & Kiley McDaniel, ESPN
- “Meanwhile in Toronto, George Springer is looking washed again after a brilliant comeback season in 2025. That's a major drag on a generally disappointing Blue Jays offense, to the tune of -0.1 rWAR and a 79 wRC+ from the DH spot.” — Zachary D. Rymer, Bleacher Report
What’s Next
The trade deadline on Aug 3 will test the Giants’ willingness to offload Devers’ contract. Should San Francisco find a partner willing to absorb a sizable salary, a move could reshape the AL East power balance; otherwise, Devers is likely to remain in San Francisco for the remainder of the season.
