Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner reignited the fury of Fenway faithful on Monday, offering a blistering new explanation for the franchise-altering trade that sent superstar Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants last summer. Speaking at the start of MLB Spring Training 2026 in Fort Myers, Werner pointed to a specific incident following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury as the breaking point in the organization’s relationship with their franchise face. The revelation has sparked a fresh firestorm of Boston Red Sox news, casting a shadow over the start of the new season.
Werner Details the "Discouraging" Clubhouse Drama
In a candid and controversial media session, Werner did not mince words when addressing the lingering questions about the June 2025 blockbuster. According to the chairman, the decision to move Devers was solidified days after first baseman Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in May 2025. With the team in desperate need of corner infield stability, management approached Devers about temporarily shifting across the diamond.
“It wasn’t a complex request. We had a teammate down, a crisis at first base, and we asked our leader to step up,” Werner told reporters. “The response we got was discouraging. It wasn't about ability; it was about willingness. I vividly remember telling the front office, ‘He just needs to pick up a glove.’ When he refused to make that accommodation for the good of the team, we knew we had a fundamental alignment issue.”
The Casas Injury Catalyst
The timeline provided by Werner aligns with the chaotic stretch of the 2025 season that ultimately derailed the Red Sox. Triston Casas’ injury—a gruesome knee issue sustained while crossing the bag—left a massive hole in the lineup and the field. At the time, Devers was entrenched at third base but had struggled defensively, leading to increased time at DH.
Werner’s comments suggest that the front office viewed Devers’ refusal not just as a positional preference, but as an abdication of leadership. “We are paying elite money for elite commitment,” Werner added, referencing the $313.5 million contract Devers signed in 2023. “When Triston went down, we needed a captain. We felt we didn't have one.”
Devers Thriving as a Giant
Since the shocking Rafael Devers trade to the San Francisco Giants, the narrative has played out very differently on the West Coast. Devers has flourished in the Bay Area, embracing a full-time DH role while taking occasional reps at first base for the Giants—a bitter irony for Boston fans. The Rafael Devers Giants era has begun with the slugger posting monster numbers, while the return package for Boston continues to whelm.
A History of Tone-Deaf Comments?
Werner’s latest remarks have drawn immediate backlash, with many comparing them to his infamous “full throttle” promise prior to the 2024 season. Critics argue that blaming a franchise icon for the front office's roster construction failures is a deflection tactic. By publicizing the "pick up a glove" dispute now, just as MLB Spring Training 2026 kicks off, ownership risks alienating a clubhouse that is already navigating low expectations.
The trade return, headlined by pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, has yet to yield the impact necessary to replace Devers' bat. With Harrison recently flipped to Milwaukee in another questionable move, the pressure on Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the ownership group is at an all-time high.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the Red Sox attempt to turn the page, the shadow of Rafael Devers looms larger than ever. With Casas still working his way back to full strength—participating in individual drills as camp opens—the first base position remains a question mark. Werner’s comments have ensured that Red Sox clubhouse drama will dominate the headlines for the foreseeable future, rather than the play on the field.
For a fanbase still recovering from the departure of Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, hearing ownership blast Devers for a lack of "willingness" is a bitter pill to swallow. Whether this transparency was intended to provide closure or simply shift blame, it has undeniably set a contentious tone for the 2026 season.
