Red Sox Icon David Ortiz Explains Why Rafael Devers Didn't Work Out In Boston
The Rafael Devers trade was the most explosive moment of the Boston Red Sox's 2025 season, and it could take many more years to digest.
Devers was meant to be the Red Sox's face of the franchise when he signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension before the 2023 campaign. Just two and a half years later, he was playing for the San Francisco Giants against the Red Sox, clubbing a home run off former teammate Brayan Bello.
A lot of people took the Devers trade hard, but Red Sox legend David Ortiz stands out among that group. Ortiz was vocal in the wake of the trade about his displeasure with the circumstances that led to the trade, particularly with how Devers handled things.
If you like our content, choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.
Ortiz talks Devers trade, five months later
Now that the dust has settled at the end of th season, Ortiz is still bothered by the fact that Devers isn't a Red Sox, but he wants it to be known that it's because he likes Devers and wanted him to stay with the team he loves and still works for.
"Well, to be honest with you, you don't want to let go of a batter like him, of course," Ortiz told Joey Copponi and Scott Neville on the "ITM Podcast" on Friday. "I mean, Raffy is a beast when it comes down to a player that you want in your lineup, you know?
"And I love Raffy. Like, my thing with the situation is that I would expect a guy like Raffy to be one of the faces of this organization for many reasons. Raffy is a good kid. Don't get that caught up in the confusion, you know. And that's what bothers me most out of the whole thing. We're dealing with a good kid."
Ortiz still believes Devers had some fault in the matter, of course. His refusal to try first base when Triston Casas went down in the middle of the season likely set the wheels in motion for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to make the trade, with the blessing of the ownership group, as CEO Sam Kennedy made clear in the wake of the move.
"You know, Raffy can be like my son. I remember I met Raffy when Raffy was 15, developing in a farm down in the Dominican Republic. Like, that was my guy," Ortiz continued. "You know, and, and he still is, I mean, if Raffy ever needed advice from me or anything for his own good, I'm more than open. Because that's how I am.
"Unfortunately, things didn't work for the organization to be on the right track. And unfortunately, sometimes you have to make those moves. I don't argue that with the owners. They are the boss. They are the ones who ask you how much you want on your contract. They agreed (to Devers' contract). But remember, you are an employee. You're not a boss. There are not two bosses. There's just one. John Henry."
As part of his fundraising efforts, Ortiz is holding a silent auction loaded with priceless items that will be live until Saturday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET. You can also donate to the cause on the David Ortiz Children's Fund's website.
Scott Boras Issues Stern Warning to MLB About Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole
As the Winter Meetings draw closer, questions continue to circulate about Gerrit Cole’s readiness for the 2026 season and what version of the All-Star pitcher the New York Yankees can expect. But according to super-agent Scott Boras, there is no room for doubt. In fact, Boras has sounded a warning to the rest of Major League Baseball, as reported by Brendan Kuty of
“Scott Boras said Gerrit Cole feels great and is in great shape, and even sent him video of him pitching the other day,” Kuty shared on X. “He’s excited… he has all weapons available to him.”
Early indications suggest Cole is progressing well in his recovery, a promising sign for a Yankees team that desperately missed its ace throughout 2025. His absence, the result of Tommy John surgery, was a significant setback. New York still managed to finish second in the AL East and advance to the AL Division Series, but ultimately fell to the Toronto Blue Jays, ending their championship hopes.
“I’ve poured everything I have into this organization,” Cole said. “Being a Yankee isn’t just a contract to me — it’s an honor. I’m working every single day to come back stronger because this team, this city, and these fans deserve my very best. I can’t wait to put the pinstripes on again.”
Even without Cole, the Yankees posted the fourth-best ERA in MLB, a testament to the depth of their pitching staff. Adding a fully recovered former Cy Young winner back into the rotation could elevate the club to an entirely different level. Before the injury, Cole logged an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA over 17 starts in 2024. In 2023, he delivered one of the best seasons of his career with a 15-4 record and a 2.63 ERA across 33 starts.
Cole has been rehabbing diligently since undergoing surgery, and while he has expressed frustration about missing the entire season, history suggests he has every reason to be optimistic. Several star pitchers have successfully returned from Tommy John surgery, including Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Shohei Ohtani, John Smoltz, and Stephen Strasburg. The recovery is challenging, but the potential to come back even stronger is very real.
The next few months will be critical as Cole targets readiness for Spring Training. If his rehab continues on its current trajectory, the Yankees could soon regain the leader of their rotation — a development that would significantly strengthen their pursuit of the franchise’s 28th World Series title.
