Latest news with #RafaelDevers
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers Rise, Yankees Plummet, More
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The past week of the 2025 Major League Baseball season could end up going down as the most exciting one when it's all said and done. Out of nowhere on Sunday, Boston Red Sox All-Star designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants in one of the most surprising trades in recent memory. Days later, Devers was at his introductory press conference in San Francisco saying he was open to playing wherever the Giants needed him — a complete 180 from his comments in Boston the last few months. Read more: Rafael Devers Makes Surprising Announcement Regarding Position With Giants Following Red Sox Trade That blockbuster deal officially kicked off trade season, which could feature plenty of surprises as a majority of teams still remain in the hunt with six weeks until the deadline. Elsewhere around the league, the Dodgers asserted their dominance over their National League West counterparts, while the New York Yankees endured a brutal slump that included a 30-inning scoreless streak. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.... KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. MoreWith all that being said, here is the 12th edition of Newsweek Sports' MLB Power Rankings, with tons of movement among the top 10 teams — but no change at No. 1. More news: Red Sox Shockingly Demoting Top Prospect Amid Struggles 1. Detroit Tigers (48-28) 2. Chicago Cubs (45-29) 3. Los Angeles Dodgers (46-30) 4. New York Mets (45-30) 5. New York Yankees (43-31) 6. Philadelphia Phillies (45-30) 7. Houston Astros (43-32) 8. San Francisco Giants (42-33) 9. Tampa Bay Rays (41-34) 10. San Diego Padres (40-34) 11. Milwaukee Brewers (40-35) 12. Toronto Blue Jays (40-34) 13. St. Louis Cardinals (40-35) 14. Cincinnati Reds (39-36) 15. Boston Red Sox (39-37) 16. Minnesota Twins (37-37) 17. Cleveland Guardians (37-36) 18. Seattle Mariners (37-36) 19. Arizona Diamondbacks (37-37) 20. Kansas City Royals (37-38) 21. Texas Rangers (36-39) 22. Atlanta Braves (34-39) 23. Los Angeles Angels (36-38) 24. Baltimore Orioles (32-42) 25. Washington Nationals (31-44) 26. Pittsburgh Pirates (30-46) 27. Miami Marlins (29-44) 28. Athletics (31-46) 29. Chicago White Sox (23-52) 30. Colorado Rockies (17-58) Biggest Riser Boston Red Sox (+5) The Red Sox were coming off five straight wins and a series sweep of the Yankees when they shocked the league and moved off of Devers and the remainder of his 10-year contract. Since, they took a series against the Mariners in which they scored a total of five runs. For now, they move up the rankings from their dominant stretch of play. But the offense is a big concern at this point in the year without Devers. Biggest Faller Minnesota Twins (-4) The Twins lost six in a row before stopping the bleeding with a win over the Reds to avoid a sweep. In the tight AL Central — three teams are within one game of .500 — they can't afford many stretches like that as the year goes on.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
One difference-making trade for each AL team in the wild-card race
The San Francisco Giants have already won the trade deadline, and they did it earlier this week when they acquired Rafael Devers from the Red Sox for two major-league pitchers and two prospects. What a way to truly kick off the trade season. With less than six weeks to go until the July 31 deadline, let's look at possible trades that could impact the wild-card races, which are again closely contested. Entering Friday, 10 American League teams are in a wild-card spot or within six games back of playoff position. In the National League, essentially eight teams can say the same. (The Mets and Phillies are tied atop the NL East and NL wild-card standings so count as one team in this tally.) Advertisement The only teams in the majors that are not really in the postseason race are the White Sox and Athletics in the AL and the Nationals, Marlins, Pirates and Rockies in the NL. Therefore, with not a lot of sellers, at least at this stage, we could see several trades made between contenders, along with the usual seller-to-buyer type deals. Here is one difference-making trade proposal for each of the 10 AL teams contending for a wild-card spot. Check back next week for a similar article on the NL wild-card contenders. The Rays have been looking for a long-term solution at catcher and a trade for the Rockies' backstop would nicely fill that need. Goodman is having an All-Star caliber first half of the season, hitting .285 with 14 homers, 46 RBIs and a 126 OPS+. He's a bat-first catcher who ranks in the 91st percentile in hard-hit rate and the 88th percentile in average exit velocity, but defensively, he's in the bottom-third of the league among catchers with minus-5 Defensive Runs Saved. Goodman, 25, won't be arbitration-eligible until 2027. In return, the Rockies would get Bradley, who could go right into their starting rotation. He has posted a 4.95 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 80 innings this season. In addition, the Rockies would also pick up Gillen, a first-round pick last year, whom The Athletic's Keith Law ranked as Tampa Bay's fourth-best prospect before this season. Gillen is a future impact leadoff hitter with strong on-base skills (.457 OBP) and speed (23 steals in 24 attempts) this season in Low A. This is an overpay for the Rays but would solve their biggest organizational need. The Blue Jays are focused on acquiring a starting pitcher before the trade deadline and the veteran righty would be a good fit for them. Kelly, 36, is 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA over 15 starts and will be eligible for free agency at season's end. He went to high school and college in Arizona and would like to finish his career as a Diamondback. However, if the D-Backs fall out of the National League wild-card race, perhaps they'd trade him as a rental for two solid prospects and then look to re-sign him in the offseason. Advertisement In this deal, Arizona would acquire Rojas, an intriguing 22-year-old lefty from Cuba. He has a plus fastball and slider but also comes with an injury history that includes shoulder issues, but there's enough upside there to take a gamble on him. Shaw, 20, is a versatile player who can play second base, center field and left field. He has a .420 on-base percentage this season in Low A. The Red Sox have a hole at first base and Lowe would be a good fit. Last year he slashed .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs while playing plus defense at first base. This year with the Nationals, he's hitting just .227 but has 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 75 games. He'd be an upgrade for the Sox, who would control him through 2026. Lowe would be a solid place holder until prospect James Tibbs III, acquired in the Devers trade, is ready for the majors. A second-round pick in 2024, Tolle has an eye-popping 70 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings this season in High A. This is the type of deal the Nationals need to make at the trade deadline: adding more power arms to their stable. The Guardians have been searching for a veteran upgrade for their outfield and Robert would make a lot of sense for them. Robert, 27, is two years removed from a 38-homer season, and although he's having a down year (.190 average, six homers), he does have 22 steals in 27 attempts and has played above-average defense in center field. He badly needs a change of scenery, and it's expected he'll finally get dealt at this year's trade deadline. The Guardians would control Robert through 2027. He is making $15 million this season and his contract includes two team options, at $20 million per year. In return for Robert, the White Sox would get Chourio, a top outfield prospect who has a .383 on-base percentage this season across Rookie ball and High A. Chourio, 20, is the younger brother of the Brewers' Jackson Chourio. Cleveland would also get Velazquez, 20, a first round pick in 2023. He's batting .202/.279/.418 with nine homers this season in High A. Both players are considered top-10 prospects (in the Guardians' system), which is what the White Sox are hoping to get in a Robert trade. Advertisement The Mariners need to upgrade at first base and landing Naylor could be a game-changer for the middle of their lineup. Last year, he hit 31 home runs with 108 RBIs and helped lead the Guardians to the ALCS. This year, he has slashed .304/.359/.471 with nine homers and 49 RBIs. The Diamondbacks insist they'll be buying at the trade deadline, but that could change in the coming weeks. Closer to July 31, they could decide to trade their impending free agents, including Naylor, to acquire more talent for the future while still being able to re-sign those veteran players in free agency this winter. In return for Naylor, the Diamondbacks would get Legumina, who could immediately help them in the bullpen, and Sloan, who would add important starting pitching depth to their farm system. Legumina, 28, has a 4.05 ERA over 27 appearances this season with the Mariners. Sloan, 19, is a top-10 prospect in Seattle's strong farm system; a second-round pick last year, he has a 4.54 ERA this season in Low A. The Twins have made it clear to opposing general managers that they are looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Sánchez is one of their trade targets. He has slashed .251/.324/.412 with seven doubles, seven homers and seven steals in 53 games. Last year he hit .252 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs. He ranks in the 92nd percentile in bat speed and the 76th percentile in average exit velocity. Sánchez, 27, is under team control through 2027. In return, the Marlins would get Hill, a 19-year-old righty whom the Twins selected in the second round of last year's draft. He's been dominant in the Low-A Florida State League this season, posting a 1.65 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. This is the type of trade that Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has prioritized. The Royals are looking for power and acquiring Stowers from the Marlins would make a lot of sense. Stowers, 27, is slashing .272/.340/.460 (120 OPS+) with 10 homers and 34 RBIs. He would become the Royals' everyday left fielder. He is under team control through the 2029 season. In return, Miami would get Shields, who was a second-round pick last year. The 18-year-old lefty's career is off to a promising start, posting a 3.26 ERA over eight outings in Rookie ball and Low A. The Marlins would also acquire Ramirez, who could become available because the Royals have two better catching prospects in Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen. Ramirez, 20, has an .838 OPS with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 44 games this season in Low A. He's currently on the injured list and hasn't played this month. The Angels (36-38) hope to stay in the race and want to buy at the trade deadline, so making a push for Cabrera makes some sense for them. Cabrera, 27, will be arbitration-eligible next offseason, which likely means Miami will test his trade market. He has a 3.81 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 12 starts this season with 63 strikeouts in 59 innings. He ranks in the 85th percentile in fastball velocity and the 81st percentile in breaking run value. Cabrera, who has dealt with a variety of injuries in the past, is under team control through 2028. Advertisement The Marlins would get right-handers Klassen and Cortez in return. Klassen, 23, has a 5.65 ERA over 11 starts this season with 52 strikeouts in 43 innings. He was acquired by the Angels at last year's trade deadline in the Carlos Estévez trade with the Phillies. Cortez, 22, was a second-round pick in 2024, and the Angels have transitioned the former college reliever to a minor-league starter. He has a 3.39 ERA this season over 13 starts with 59 strikeouts and 43 walks in 63 2/3 innings. If his command and control improve, he profiles as either a back-of-the-rotation starter or possibly a high-leverage reliever. The Rangers' offense has been inconsistent this season, and it looks like they need an impact middle-of-the order bat. Ozuna would be a potential solution if the Braves decide to sell at the trade deadline. (They are 5 1/2 games out of the final NL wild-card spot but are still five games below .500.). Ozuna, 34, is slashing .253/.381/.418 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. He's ranked fourth in the majors in walks (52) and is on pace to set a career-high. Ozuana batted .302 with 39 homers and 104 RBIs last year and will be a free agent after this season. In return, the Braves would acquire Drake, an 11th-round pick in 2022, who has a 2.74 ERA over 11 starts with 68 strikeouts and 20 walks in 49 1/3 innings this season at Double A. Law ranked Drake, 24, 11th in the Rangers' farm system entering this season. The Orioles desperately need an ace and Alcantara, if he continues to pitch well, could be a great fit — plus he's under team control through 2027. Alcantara has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. There have also been positive signs with his stuff and command, despite his subpar overall numbers (6.88 ERA, 1.47 WHIP), as the former Cy Young Award winner gets more comfortable in his first season since undergoing Tommy John surgery. Obviously, the prospect price for Alcantara, if he's right, will be huge — which is reflected in this trade proposal. Basallo, 20, would be the headliner for the Marlins and would immediately become their top prospect, a player who should be able to hit in the middle of their lineup for years to come. He has a .974 OPS this season at Triple A. Povich, who is currently on the IL with left hip inflammation, would go into the Marlins' rotation when healthy. The 25-year-old lefty has a 5.15 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings this season. Kjerstad, 26, could take over a corner outfield position for Miami and finally get the runway as an everyday player to prove himself. He hit .192 before being optioned to Triple A earlier this month. (Top photo of Kyle Stowers: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Boston Globe
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
From tinker to Devers to chance
Call it what it is: the fault of management. From the communication breakdown since the signing of third baseman Alex Bregman to how the Sox brass hated that Devers stood up for himself, parting ways with the team's top hitter lies at the feet of owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. I suspect readers of the Globe have little appetite right now for a piece about how this could all be a wonderful thing for the Red Sox. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Drew Landry Advertisement Lubbock, Texas Devers wasn't a team player. Longtime fan says: See ya. As a Red Sox fan of more than seven decades, I am happy to see Rafael Devers go. He was not a team player. I was much more upset when the Red Sox traded away Mookie Betts and let Xander Bogaerts get away in free agency. Eleanor Koplovsky Hingham If only the team made better deals I could live with both the Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers deals if the Red Sox had received any value in return. Bob Mennealy Auburn, Maine Devers was disrespected. May he thrive in San Francisco. Rafael Devers was the last remaining Red Sox player from the World Series champions of 2018. He now joins Chris Sale, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and J.D. Martinez as fine players whom ownership wouldn't or couldn't retain. Advertisement In Devers's case, it seemed the Red Sox brass mishandled the situation from the beginning, by blindsiding their franchise third baseman with the signing of Alex Bregman. Bregman was handed Devers's position, so given the disrespect shown to Devers, it's hardly surprising he would balk at the team's request for him to play first base. I hope Devers thrives in San Francisco and makes Sox management rue this trade. Michael Englander Boston
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Wilmer Flores comes through in a pinch, wins the day for Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants shook up the baseball world on Sunday when they acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox, and although pragmatism will never prevent the punditry from declaring instant winners and losers, the truth is it'll take a year or five before anyone can conduct a full accounting of the deal. Advertisement But the second-order effects on both rosters following a blockbuster trade? The winners and losers in uniform? Those are a bit easier to analyze in real time. For Wilmer Flores, a broken-down player last season who opted into the last year of his contract, who might have come within one bad spring training from becoming a writeoff, who instead reestablished himself as a dangerous situational hitter and who entered the week with the fifth most RBIs among National League players, the Devers trade had a clear and immediate impact. It closed off Flores' avenue to at-bats at designated hitter. With Devers ensconced at DH and the No.3 spot in the lineup, Flores had to come off the bench in two of three games in the series against the Cleveland Guardians. That meant Flores was in the right place at the right time Thursday afternoon. Flores threaded a pinch double down the third-base line that scored two runs in the seventh inning, flipping the result for the Giants and Logan Webb in a 2-1 victory that snapped a four-game losing streak. Sometimes the apparent losers in a trade are actually winners. For all the ways the Devers acquisition could limit his opportunities, Flores remains a vital part of the Giants' roster. 'We expect so much out of him,' manager Bob Melvin said. 'We expect him to come through every time in those situations, and he does almost every time. But it's really, really difficult. Sit on the bench the entire game. Have the biggest at-bat of the game. He gets behind in the count, doesn't try to do too much, puts it in play with the infield in. It's just what he does.' Wilmer gives us the lead! 😤 — SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2025 Melvin sent Flores to pinch hit for second baseman Christian Koss, even though the manager knew the Guardians would go to right-hander Nic Enright. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt did not have a lefty warming up alongside him. It would've been easy for Melvin to send up Daniel Johnson and get a left-handed matchup. But platoon advantages only count for so much. Sometimes, a slow heartbeat and a steely resolve are even bigger advantages. Advertisement 'It's just Wilmer,' said Webb, who struck out nine and walked none but was on the hook for an unjust loss when he walked off the mound in the middle of the seventh. 'He always seems to come up with the big one. He's been doing it for so long. It's always a pleasure. I actually (heard) a podcast, and they were talking about Wilmer. They were like, 'Just put him on base.' Any time you're in a big situation, it's just the way Wilmer goes. He's always prepared, always ready for the big moment. Obviously, I love that he did that.' It's never an advantage for a hitter to get to a two-strike count. But the more pitches Flores fouls off in an at-bat, the more the sense of inevitability grows that something good is about to happen. And the Giants were desperate for it. When Flores stepped to the plate, the team was 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position on the day and 1 for 23 in the series against the Guardians. Extending back a bit further, the Giants had been 4 for 33 with runners in scoring position over their four-game losing streak — and one of the hits was Casey Schmitt's grand slam on a 56-mph lob from position player Kiké Hernandez at Dodger Stadium. Devers hit an RBI double in his Giants debut on Tuesday, but it's not as if his presence lit the lineup on fire. The Giants scored just six runs in the three-game series against Cleveland, and they won't project to be at full strength for at least a couple weeks while Matt Chapman rehabs his sprained right hand. It's likely that many more games will hang in the balance of a pinch at-bat or two. Giants pinch hitters entered the day with a decent record of production: 10 for 40 with two home runs and a .250 average that ranked well above the league average of .202. But they've also had more riding on those pinch at-bats than any team. Their 2.21 leverage index, which weighs the context in which a pinch hitter is used (with 1.0 representing average pressure), is the highest in the major leagues. So the second-level effects of having Flores on the bench are no small matter. Melvin hopes that Devers will be playable at first base soon and that Flores will resume something resembling an everyday DH role. Until then, Melvin said he's hesitant to put too many demands on Flores' surgically repaired knee. Advertisement 'I don't want to run Flo out there too much in the field,' said Melvin, who started Flores at first base for the first time this season on Wednesday. 'Until we get Rafi in the field, it's going to be half-and-half (between Flores and Dom Smith at first base). 'But being able to come off the bench in those situations is really valuable.' How long before Devers becomes playable at first base? Well, probably not as soon as this weekend, when his former team, the Red Sox, visits the shores of McCovey Cove. It was Devers' refusal to plug a hole at first base in the wake of Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury that irreparably harmed his relationship with the Red Sox and compelled them to trade him barely 24 months after signing him to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract. As hilarious and amazing as it would be for Devers to start at first base against Boston, it almost certainly won't happen. You can't let the punditry have it that easy.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox demote struggling rookie Kristian Campbell in wake of Rafael Devers trade
Four days after the Boston Red Sox said goodbye to Rafael Devers, the team is set to demote one of the prospects who was supposed to help replace him as a franchise player. Boston plans to option second baseman Kristian Campbell back to Triple-A Worcester, according to The club has not confirmed the move, but figures to do it on Friday ahead of its game against Devers and the San Francisco Giants. Advertisement Doing so means the Red Sox will eat part of the eight-year, $60 million contract extension they signed Campbell to early in the season. Not much has gone according to plan for the 39-37 Red Sox this season, who made headlines earlier this week when they traded away their longest-tenured player in Devers over a simmering position dispute. Somehow, Campbell was a factor in Devers' unhappiness, with Joon Lee reporting for Yahoo Sports that Devers was upset when Campbell volunteered to cover first base for the Red Sox after Triston Casas tore his patellar tendon. Devers outright refused to switch positions after losing third base to offseason signing Alex Bregman, but also interpreted Campbell's offer as a slight to his own stature. Kristian Campbell was the first of the Red Sox top prospect trio to reach the majors. He's now headed back to the minors. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Rob Tringali via Getty Images) Campbell was one of three highly anticipated prospects Boston was expecting this season, alongside outfielder Roman Anthony and shortstop/third baseman Marcelo Mayer. All three players ranked in the top 15 of Baseball America's top prospects list, but it was only Campbell who broke camp with the big-league club. Advertisement As a prospect, the 22-year-old Campbell presented a well-rounded offensive approach combined with defensive versatility. He was an unheralded talent in the 2023 MLB Draft, with the Red Sox landing him in the fourth round, but he broke out majorly in 2024, earning Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year Award after hitting .330/.439/.558 between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. For about a month, Campbell delivered on the hype. He finished April hitting .301/.407/.495 and was a major Rookie of the Year candidate, but then fell off massively. He has hit .159/.243/.222 since the calendar turned to May, with only one base hit in the past week. While Campbell was scuffling, the Red Sox called up Anthony and Mayer. They had the trio together for a little more than a week, but will now send down Campbell to work on his offensive approach and perhaps get his confidence back up.
