• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 3, 2025

Devers Deal Gives Giants Star Hitter After Free-Agency Rejections

After winning three World Series in five seasons, the Giants have spent much of the last decade in a relative wilderness. That could be ending after a blockbuster trade with Boston.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

MLB’s Giants have made arguably their biggest step yet in an ongoing push to return to baseball prominence, landing one of the sport’s best pure hitters while also sending a clear message to the rest of the league of their financial intentions. 

The Giants completed a blockbuster trade Sunday with Boston, landing Rafael Devers, parting with two pitchers and two prospects, but also assuming all of the more than $250 million left on the 10-year, $313.5 million contract of Devers, the 15th-largest player deal in MLB history

A decade ago, San Francisco was enjoying a burgeoning status as one of MLB’s most dominant franchises, boasting three World Series titles in the prior five seasons while also significantly influencing the broader business of sports in a series of other ways spanning technology, ballpark usage, and ticketing. The combined success had the Giants challenging the likes of the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cubs as one of the foremost powers in baseball. 

Since then, though, the Giants have been on an extended run of relative obscurity.  After that last championship in 2014, the team has posted six losing seasons, has seen attendance drop precipitously, and has gone through four different leadership regimes in baseball operations. 

That all could be ending as the current organization, led by the president of baseball operations and former franchise icon, Buster Posey, is finding new levels of traction in the rebuild. Even before the Devers trade, the Giants were just behind the Dodgers in the National League West division, and were enjoying their best season in 2021 as Posey continues to get more entrenched after starting the front office role last fall. 

Getting Devers, a three-time All-Star, on the roster through a trade also showed a more creative approach after prior free-agent pursuits of superstars such as Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani came up short, with the expansive dimensions and pitcher-friendly attributes of Oracle Park thought to be a deterrent to some hitters. 

“It’s really hard to acquire this type of talent at this point in his career,” Posey said of the 28-year-old Devers.

The Big Money

The arrival of Devers and his contract brings the Giants’ luxury-tax payroll to 2025 to more than $220 million, 12th highest in the league, but still below MLB’s initial tax threshold this year of $241 million. The current outlay is the second-highest in franchise history, trailing only last year’s $249 million padded heavily by a one-year, $32 million stint from pitcher Blake Snell before he joined the rival Dodgers last offseason.

While those Dodgers continue to spend at an unprecedented level, pushing their outlay this year beyond $400 million, the Giants under Posey have showed much more aggressiveness, extending third baseman Matt Chapman in a six-year, $151 million deal, and signing shortstop Willy Adames last offseason to a seven-year, $182 million pact. The Giants now have more than $164 million in committed salary already for next year, eighth highest in MLB, and $117 million for 2027 and the same amount in 2028.  

The Adames deal has yet to pay off amid struggles at the plate, and Chapman is currently injured, but Posey insisted the latest move was more than worth it. 

“We’re obviously taking on a lot of money. We’re giving up some pitching. We’re giving up our first-round [draft] pick from last year, so it didn’t come without a cost,” he said. “But we felt like this was a chance to take a shot.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN’s Ben McDonald Stays on Padres-Cubs Call Despite NHL Flap

ESPN sticks with McDonald after his viral hockey “zero chance” jab.

Elimination Day: MLB’s Dramatic Wild-Card Tripleheader Hits ESPN

A day of drama ends with Red Sox–Yankees in prime time.

Cardinals Vow Changes Coming After Historic Attendance Drop

A stalwart franchise looks to correct an alarming slide in attendance.
Blake Bortles appears set to exit Jacksonville with a career 24-49 record.

Private Equity’s Sports Push Has Entered Overdrive

Athletes like Blake Bortles and Rob Gronkowski are diving into sports investing.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.

Tyreek Hill’s Injury Complicates Financial Future With Dolphins

Releasing the receiver after this season would cost $28 million.
September 29, 2025

Mariners to End 37-Year RSN Run, Join MLB’s In-House Media Model

The Mariners-owned regional sports network is shutting down operations.
Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
September 29, 2025

Two of the Mets’ Biggest Stars Could Dictate Important Offseason

The Mets missed the playoffs despite having one of baseball’s highest payrolls.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
September 25, 2025

Celtics Owner Bill Chisholm: Boston Should Have a WNBA Team

Chisholm spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time as Celtics owner.
Aug 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello calls out a play in the second half to her team against the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center.
September 25, 2025

Liberty GM Defends Controversial Brondello Firing

Kolb said he has confidence that the team’s stars will return.
Apr 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) during the first period against the New York Rangers in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
September 23, 2025

Rumors of Canes Interest in Hockey Canada Trial Players Provokes Fan Backlash

Hurricanes fans are threatening to boycott if Carolina signs the acquitted players.
September 22, 2025

Rays $1.7B Sale Approved, Stadium Plans Now Loom Large

A new era begins for the long-beleaguered MLB club.