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Another Rafael Devers Trade Not Out of Question This Offseason
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- Another Rafael Devers Trade Not Out of Question This Offseason
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers
It ain't easy being an All-Star caliber slugger trying to find a long-term home, apparently.
Rafael Devers has delivered as advertised for the San Francisco Giants, and this past season was another highly productive offensive one for the two-time Silver Slugger. But he could be on the move again, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, who expects the Giants "to listen to trade proposals for every player on their roster," including Devers.
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A Devers trade could be part of a slew of moves the Giants might make in what the New York Post's Valentina Martinez has dubbed a "scorched earth ... trade frenzy" this offseason.
Although much attention this year was given to Devers' lowlights, the fact of the matter was that he outpaced his career averages in most major categories. He posted an .865 OPS with 37 home runs in San Francisco's pitcher-friendly park, while playing mostly reliable defense in his new position at first base. He also continued to be a durable presence in the lineup, appearing in 148 games after playing in 163 games the prior season. Aside from the COVID-shortened 60-game 2020 season, Devers has played in at least 138 games per season every year since 2019.
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There's still a lot of time left on the 10-year, $313 million contract he signed with the Red Sox, which lasts through 2033. At 30, Devers might be at the tail end of his prime or at the beginning of his inevitable decline, depending on your perspective. Anybody who employs Devers from here on -- which might end up being the Giants themselves -- won't be getting the greatest version of Devers.
But the version of Devers that exists right now is a lot better than many people, perhaps even the Giants, seem to realize.
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