Ortiz addresses Devers trade: 'Got to put your ego aside'
Boston Red Sox legend and Hall of Famer David Ortiz believes ego and a lack of maturity played a role in the shocking trade that sent All-Star slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.
"The organization is always going to be there," Ortiz, who works for the Red Sox as a special assistant to the Fenway Sports Group, said Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. "Players come and go. As a player, sometimes you've got to put your ego aside and understand that once you get paid, you've got to find a way to do what you're told.
"That's a message for all young players who think they turn out to be bigger than the game. I'm not saying that Devers was like that. He's humble. He's a good kid. But sometimes when you're young and immature, you (don't realize that).
"I'm not saying the Red Sox did everything right. But you have to give the club the benefit of the doubt. They're not trying to make the organization look bad. They're trying to make good moves that sometimes they don't have the opportunity to explain."
Boston traded Devers to the Giants on Sunday for right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, and a pair of prospects in outfielder James Tibbs III and righty Jose Bello. San Francisco is taking on the entire remainder of the star's contract after he inked a 10-year, $313.5-million pact in January 2023.
The stunning deal materialized after a pair of public feuds between the Red Sox and Devers. The 28-year-old was upset during spring training when the team asked him to be a designated hitter after signing Gold Glove-winner Alex Bregman to play third base. Then, in early May, he criticized the club and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow for wanting him to man first base after Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury.
"I played for the Red Sox a long time," Ortiz added. "You think everything with me and the Red Sox was roses and flowers? I went through some tough times also. But I was mature enough to understand and keep things internal. Even in the best families, between the best brothers, shit happens. You need to have the maturity to resolve the problems and move on."
Meanwhile, Breslow acknowledged Boston isn't giving up on the 2025 season despite moving the face of the franchise.
The Red Sox will play Devers and the Giants in a three-game series at Oracle Park starting Friday.