Get To Know Four Players Acquired In Surprising Rafael Devers Deal

The Boston Red Sox sent shock waves through the baseball universe on Sunday when news began to surface that the team had traded three-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champion Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.

This shocking development started to make the rounds after the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Devers, who connected on his 15th home run of the season in the 2-0 victory, had just boarded the team’s charter flight en route to Seattle before being made aware of the deal ahead of takeoff.

Devers will now have to board a different flight to join his new team in the Bay Area.

While full details of what facilitated the trade have yet to be disclosed, its clear that the relationship between player and team began to sour after the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a free agent deal in February.

Side-stepping any further speculation on why Devers was abruptly traded, the Red Sox acquired four players from the Giants who the team clearly believes will help them this season and well into the future.

The team confirmed the deal in a series of social media posts announcing the acquisition of Jordan Hicks (right-handed pitcher, Kyle Harrison (left-handed pitcher), Jose Bello (right-handed pitcher) and James Tibbs III (outfielder) in exchange for Devers.

Let’s take a closer look at the newest members of the Red Sox organization.

Jordan Hicks

Starting pitcher Jordan Hicks is a name most Red Sox fans will instantly recognize. A veteran of seven Major League seasons, the 28-year-old has pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants since making his big league debut in 2018.

Mostly used as a versatile bullpen arm during his time with the Cardinals and Blue Jays, Hicks signed a four-year $44 million contract with the Giants ahead of the 2024 season and was converted into a starting pitcher.

After making nine starts this season, the Giants opted to return him to the bullpen. Currently on the 15-day injured list with a toe issue, Hicks has a record of 1-5, with a 6.47 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 1.541 WHIP in 48 2/3 innings this season.

Overall in his career, Hicks is 16-13, with a 4.23 ERA, 394 strikeouts and a 1.369 WHIP in 401 2/3 innings.

Kyle Harrison

Drafted in the third round of the 2020 MLB draft by the Giants, Kyle Harrison is a talented left-hander who has yet to realize his full potential. His four-seam fastball has been his most effective pitch this season, averaging 95.1 mph with opposing hitters only managing a .175 batting average over 70 at-bats.

Optioned to Triple-A Worcester after the trade was completed, Harrison’s pitch arsenal clearly could use some work, evidenced by batting averages of .381 against his slurve, and .286 against his changeup.

In 39 games since making his debut in 2023, Harrison owns a career record of 9-9, with a 4.56 ERA, 178 strikeouts and a 1.297 WHIP in 182 2/3 innings pitched.

Arguably the center piece in this deal for Boston, it remains to be seen when Red Sox fans can expect to see the 22-year-old first take the field with the big league club.

James Thibbs III and Jose Bello

Trading for a player of Rafael Devers’ caliber sure doesn’t come cheap. In addition to acquiring Hicks and Harrison, the Red Sox also received Giants prospects James Tibbs III, and Jose Bello.

Tibbs, who was a first-round selection in last year’s draft, is an outfielder/first baseman who put up legitimate power numbers while playing for Florida State University during his collegiate playing career, notably connecting for 28 home runs during his junior season.

Assigned to High-A Eugene to begin this season, Tibbs was batting .245 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI before being dealt to Boston on Sunday. Recently ranked as the fourth best prospect in the Giants’ farm system by MLB Pipeline, he was assigned to Double-A Portland after the deal was announced.

Bello is a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher who was signed by the Giants as an international free agent in 2023. After spending time pitching in the Dominican Summer League over the last two seasons, Bello began 2025 pitching in the Arizona Complex League.

In eight relief appearances this season, Bello has a record of 1-0, with a 2.00 ERA, 28 strikeouts and a 0.722 WHIP in 18 innings of work. He was assigned to the Florida Complex League after the trade was completed.