The San Francisco Giants just dropped a bomb on the baseball world, and the aftershocks may rattle all the way to the Bronx.
In a stunning move, the San Francisco Giants have acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster deal that shakes up the balance of power in the National League West – and impacts the American League East as well. The Red Sox are sending the 28-year-old All-Star slugger to San Francisco in exchange for right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, outfield/infield prospect James Tibbs, and minor-league right-hander Jose Bello.
Once the immediate shock wears off, questions are certain to swirl over where Giants manager Bob Melvin will put Devers in the lineup, and how might that impact other players. Could the addition of Devers mean that current San Francisco third baseman Matt Chapman is suddenly available for trade?
The New York Yankees might like to know the answer to that.
Acquisition of Rafael Devers Could Make Matt Chapman Expendable
Positional angst involving Devers in Boston, where he had been the team’s primary third baseman from 2018 to 2024, was among the more popular stories in baseball entering the 2025 season. In fact, Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that the reluctance from Devers to be more flexible over where he would play had a role in the Red Sox deciding to part ways with the 28-year-old All-Star slugger.
In San Francisco, Devers is entering a situation with an established third baseman in Chapman, who is in his second season with the Giants. Chapman originally signed a one-year deal with San Francisco before the 2024 season, then agreed to a six-year, $151 million contract extension in September.
However, Chapman has been on the injured list since June 9 with three sprained fingers on his throwing hand. On Friday, it was reported that Chapman should begin the rehab process in about week, but he is still expected to be out for at least three to four weeks.
Casey Schmitt, who was drafted as a first baseman, has done a good job in Chapman’s absence, going 7-for-20 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in the last six games. But Schmitt has been a .221 hitter in his short career, and for a Giants team in a push for a playoff spot where every game matters, banking on more production from Schmitt seems a bit too optimistic.
The Giants now have a potential third base answer in Devers, and given the messy situation that he left in Boston, perhaps San Francisco would be wise to let Devers begin his tenure on the West Coast in a familiar spot – and a happy place.
Which brings us back to Chapman.
Matt Chapman Would Bring Elite Defense, Right-Handed Pop to New York
A five-time Gold Glove winner, the 32-year-old Chapman is slashing .243/.360/.452, matching his career numbers since he debuted with the Athletics in 2017. A durable player over his eight-plus seasons, Chapman has topped the 25-homer, 70-RBI mark in four of the last five non-Covid seasons, and his elite defense and right-handed pop would fit perfectly in a Yankees lineup that has been aching for an every-game fit at third base.
Injury, inconsistency and underperformance has been the unfortunate norm at the hot corner in the Bronx this season. Oswaldo Cabrera opened up the season as the starter but was soon lost for the season with a devastating lower leg injury. A revolving door of Oswald Peraza, DJ Lemahieu, Jazz Chisholm and others has been uninspiring to say the least, making the acquisition of Chapman ideal as the Yankees continue their push for a return to the World Series.
Peraza, a former top prospect in the Yankees system, could work as part of the package sent to the Giants, as a change in scenery might do the young infielder some good. New York also has some intriguing minor league pieces to sweeten the deal, such as outfielder Everson Pereira, middle infielder Roderick Arias, or pitchers Brock Selvidge or Clayton Beeter.
At any rate, general manager Brian Cashman may want to give the Giants a call.
Rafael Devers Trade May Provide Yankees With Answer to Season-Long Problem