After months of tension between Rafael Devers and the Boston front office, the Red Sox shocked the baseball world by trading their franchise superstar to the San Francisco Giants. The move drew some strong reactions around the league.

The reactions from around the league were mixed as far as which team got the better deal, but almost all were surprised by the timing.

Legendary Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said players' egos sometimes play a big role in trades like the one Rafael Devers was involved in.

The White Sox turned the page on Andrew Vaughn last week by trading him to the Brewers for right-hander Aaron Civale. A former top prospect, Vaughn has regressed in recent years and was hitting .189 with a .531 OPS through 48 games this season. While Vaughn’s handling was likely botched in the first place, both sides are probably better off apart.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers reacts after striking out as Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) AP Red Sox fans aren’t happy that Rafael Devers is gone, but the Yankees sure are.

Losing Rafael Devers via trade, in this fashion, is an issue with fault up and down the Red Sox organization. The post Forget Mookie Betts. Rafael Devers is an organization failure to trump them all.

Before things really soured between Red Sox and Rafael Devers, the star decided to comply to their request, in part due to Alex Bregman

Rafael Devers … is a Giant? The Red Sox just … sent him away? This is the sort of deal that you don’t really see that much in baseball anymore: It almost feels like more of an NBA trade, doesn’t it? It sure had the shock of one.