Former Red Sox ‘Can’t Wait’ To Reunite With Rafael Devers On Giants

Rafael Devers will see a familiar face when he enters the San Francisco Giants clubhouse.

On Sunday night, the Boston Red Sox sent shockwaves throughout MLB by trading Devers to the Giants for a four-player package. The two-time Silver Slugger provides an elite power bat to a San Francisco lineup that’s recently enjoyed a strong stretch from another former Red Sox infielder.

Dominic Smith played with Devers in Boston last season. The former first-round pick joined the Giants earlier this month after opting out of his minor-league contract with the New York Yankees.

Giants players learned of their massive acquisition right before Sunday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the game, Smith detailed what Giants fans can expect from Devers.

“The thing that I admire is he wants to play every day,” Devers told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic. “Stud behind the scenes. He’s a grinder. He doesn’t want a day off. He wants to play against the elite pitching; he wants to be in the big moments. He wants to win.”

Smith is excited to welcome the 28-year-old Devers to San Francisco after a “crazy” Sunday. The fellow left-handed hitter foreshadowed fans camping out on the McCovey Cove receiving some souvenirs.

“We got a really, really talented ballplayer,” Smith said. “Young, right in his prime. Can’t wait to see how many balls he hits into the Cove.”

Devers joins a Giants lineup currently missing third baseman Matt Chapman, who remains sidelined with a hand injury. Smith expects Devers to offer an instant offensive boost.

“We already have some studs out that we can’t wait to get back, so you add a guy like this — perennial All-Star, one of the best players in the game, one of the best third basemen in the game — you see what he’s doing as a DH. He’s gonna instantly gel with the lineup when he gets in there,” Smith said.

Devers’ arrival might cost Smith playing time. Smith is batting .343/.403/.515 in 11 games at first base, but Devers could send the 30-year-old to the bench or a timeshare with Wilmer Flores.

Smith is nevertheless eager to see Devers begin playing for the Giants, who host the Red Sox for a three-game series later this week.

“I know him. He’s gonna want to come in, play hard, and show the fans the type of player he is,” Smith said of Devers. “I can’t wait to see him do his thing.”