Boston fans are elated after their team won the three-game series against the New York Yankees. But deep down, there’s a gloomy shadow lurking. The only reason, perhaps, is their homegrown star, Rafael Devers, parted ways with the Red Sox. Right now, a new journey awaits him with the San Francisco Giants.

While it may look like a smooth transition, Rafael Devers knows the real deal. The Red Sox let Devers go in exchange for lefty Kyle Harrison, outfielder James Tibbs III, Jose Bello, and reliever Jordan Hicks. And amid the reasoning, a new drama unfolds involving Kristian Campbell. Reportedly, Devers was not happy with the rookie agreeing to play first base.

“According to multiple sources, Devers was also upset when the rookie Campbell volunteered to play first base this season—interpreting it as a slight to his own stature,” Joon Lee reported on Yahoo! Sports. This whole drama started when Devers was asked to play first base. And he denied it.

The management believed that Devers could have acted in the team’s best interests. But with his denial came Kristian Campbell’s flexibility to move. The 22-year-old rookie has been great throughout April, averaging .302 with a .902 OPS and posting four home runs. But his bat remained quiet in May. However, Alex Cora was confident of Campbell’s flexibility, and the Red Sox offered him the new position.

It’s quite evident that Rafael Devers felt upset over the matter. Supposedly, he felt like it was purposefully done to make him look bad. The 28-year-old Dominican star never actually wanted to get traded. Boston was like a home, where he enjoyed most of his time. But the frequent changes in his position ever since Bregman’s arrival turned out to be a bane for him.

The tensions started brewing the moment he was shifted to the designated hitter position from third base. A position that remained his hot corner for years. And then again, after Triston Casas got injured, Devers was requested to move to first base.

Remember what Raffy said after Casas’ injury back on May 2? “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.” The crack between the franchise and Devers was visible no matter how much dust they tried to settle. When asked about Craig Breslow, he responded, “I’m not certain what [issue] he has with me... He played ball, and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy.”

So, the trust was long gone. When asked about how the drama felt, Devers said, “That has passed.”

True, a certain sense of calm is on its way. Just hours after helping his former team win with a homer, Rafael Devers bid adieu to Boston and walked to San Francisco. Reportedly, the Giants will cover his remainder deal – more than $230 million through 2o33. 

While neither Rafael Devers nor the Boston Red Sox were looking for a trade, things probably turned out for the best. And Craig Breslow and Sam Kennedy both pointed it out as an “alignment.” They want to give young players some run and, hopefully, the results will get even better.

Red Sox rookie’s transition into a new role amid Devers’ fallout

The 22-year-old rookie’s journey in MLB is nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. From not being named among the Red Sox’s top 30 prospects to becoming the number seven prospect in the top 100, Kristian Campbell might just want to look at how exhilarating the road was. That also shows how effectively he performed in the pro season, slashing .330/.439/.558, posting 20 home runs. All that helped him to move to the Triple-A.

Campbell’s rise through the minor leagues saw him playing in different positions. Second base, center field, or his primary position – shortstop. And the major league call came right after Triston Casas was placed on the injured list owing to a left knee injury.

With his progress in the minor league, Alex Cora felt confident, and he wanted to give him a chance. “We talked a few days ago, and he’s like, ‘I feel confident.’” However, entering the final game of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Campbell was disappointing. He slashed only .120/.165/.160 in May.

Still, Campbell remained optimistic about his defensive flexibility, getting the first base spot.

However, Cora has made it clear that Campbell might not play first base in a row. But yes, they would look to develop him further, emphasizing his bat swings and hitting ability. It would not only help in reducing the errors that he committed earlier but would also strengthen their roster post-Devers’ departure.

And on a positive note, Campbell is just 22, and he is under contract with the Red Sox through 2032, at least. So, Red Sox Nation might as well experience his surge in due course…