I moved back to California a month ago and despite coming from Utah and not Boston, the Red Sox decided to send Rafael Devers out here with me.

It was a shock to get a text from my friend that read “Damn Devers to the Giants!?” when I was sitting out back with my family, a drink in my hand trying to enjoy the day.

Within moments I checked X to see the MLB tweet that he would be on the move to the Giants.

Giants reportedly acquire DH Rafael Devers from Boston per multiple reports including https://t.co/Z3s2EphcSH's Mark Feinsand. The Red Sox reportedly get back RHP Jordan Hicks, LHP Kyle Harrison and others. pic.twitter.com/jrilW3Vzbg

— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2025

I could write the same post as everyone else:

• Here’s what it means for both teams
• This is what the new players bring to the Red Sox
• The timeline from Alex Bregman’s signing to Devers leaving

But no, this is what the trade means to me.

Rafael Devers has arguably been the face of the team since 2017. He’s been with the organization since he was 16 years old, primarily on third base.

Hours before the trade, Devers crushed a home run in the Red Sox win over the Yankees. 

But this year, the Red Sox organization decided that their star player wasn’t enough anymore and brought in Alex Bregman.

I didn’t think Bregman would be a long-term player for the Sox, but now there is definitely room with Devers out of the picture. 

And yes, I know it’s a business. Yes, it’s ultimately about winning. 

Shuffling around the cornerstone of the team and making him vocally unhappy is not good business. I’d be unhappy if someone told me I had to learn a new position because I had been replaced. 

As a fan, it’s hard to invest in the who of my favorite team when they are always the ones who leave.

Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. David Price to the Dodgers. 

The one that hurt me the most? Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. He could have had a long career with the Red Sox.

I want to invest more than just my emotions into the team, it’s about the players’ names on the jerseys. 

As a sports card collector, people say the cards are an investment, but it’s hard to want to invest when I’m scared any player I may start collecting could end up in a different jersey as soon as I do.

I’ll always be a Red Sox fan. I’ve got the shirts and the hats to show my loyalty, but it’s hard to cheer for specific players when it feels like the stadium has a revolving door. One made especially for my favorite talents.

But hey, at least it isn’t the Dodgers again.