The Giants made a blockbuster move well ahead of the MLB trade deadline, acquiring third baseman Rafael Devers from the Red Sox last month. Despite being under contract for the next eight seasons, Boston decided to cut ties with its franchise player to move in a different direction.
On paper, it would be a head-scratching decision, but in real life, the move made sense. The Red Sox organization was happy with Devers the hitter but was tired of dealing with Devers the diva. Boston had a crop of young infield talent in its farm system and brought in former Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason.
While the Red Sox could move players around its infield, a wedge was driven between the franchise and Devers. The former third baseman was being used as the designated hitter and started slowly at the plate. After an injury to first baseman Tristan Casas, Boston wanted him to play first base, and he refused.
When he was traded to San Francisco, the Giants were expected to re-open that door and see if he would play first for the franchise moving forward. Since his acquisition, Devers has only participated as the DH, though. Still, he has been taking practice reps at first base.
The Giants aren’t strangers to bringing in franchise alumni to help is current crop of players. Former first baseman Will Clark has his number retired by the team and is serving as a special assistant to San Francisco. He offered to give Devers some tutorials at first, but the new Giant not only declined, he no-showed.
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Here is more on Devers’ no-showing of Clark’s first-base tutorial.
Rafael Devers no-shows Giants legend Will Clark
Clark played for the Giants from 1986-1993. While it was only eight seasons, he made a lasting impact on the franchise, being named an All-Star five straight seasons, winning the Silver Slugger Award twice, earning the NLCS MVP Award in 1989, and leading the league in RBIs in 1988.
Clark also won a Gold Glove during his time in the majors. The Giants legend said on an appearance with the No Filter Network that he reached out to Devers, offering tutorials at first base. He said that he offered tips ahead of the teams’ games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of a weekend series.
Devers no-showed all three instances.
Clark said, “Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out early at all. Period, not at all. In fact, he didn’t even hit on the field.” This excerpt took social media by storm, as many disgruntled Boston fans chimed in that now their former third baseman is San Francisco’s problem.
Clark’s quote needs some context. The series that he was going to mentor Devers was a weekend series when the Red Sox were in town. Clark’s full quote added that he knew what had happened, saying, “He [Devers] didn’t want to go out & be at 1B 20 feet in front of their dugout with what went on in BOS, & now he’s working with me at 1B. He didn’t want to have to go through all that through the press in the media. So, I completely understand.”
While it seems bad that Devers no-showed Clark and his quote was taken out of context, you can kind of feel for Devers. While he likely should have gotten over it, there is something to be said about the fact that he refused to play first base in Boston and then didn’t want to be seen taking practice reps at the position in front of his old team.
Clark finished the quote, letting Devers know that the next time they are both in San Francisco, the new Giant will be getting some tips at first base before the game. “But Rafael Devers, the next time I’m in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base, just letting you know that.”
