As the MLB trade deadline approaches next Monday, speculation continues to swirl around the San Francisco Giants and which of their veterans might be on the move.
One name that has drawn particular attention is first baseman Rafael Devers, yet according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the chances of the Giants dealing him remain slim.
The Giants sit among the few clear sellers this summer, which has naturally generated interest in several of their established players. Devers, however, presents a unique case.
Signed through 2033 at an average annual value of $28.5 million, he still has roughly $225 million remaining on his contract. That long-term commitment, Heyman suggested, makes a trade far more complicated than the pending free-agent situations involving teammates such as Luis Arráez and Robbie Ray.
“Any contract is movable if you pay enough of it down,” Heyman said. “Certainly, with $225 million to go at this point, you have to pay some of it down. Now, do they want to pay any of it down? Well, they took the contract and gave away prospects, basically a year and a month ago; I would think it’s probably unlikely.”
Heyman acknowledged that at least one team has already inquired about Devers. Still, he characterized any potential deal as an extreme long shot. “There was a team, at least one team, that did call on Devers, but I do think that is an extreme long shot at this point. Because he’s still a good player. And do they want to pay it down as you suggested? I don’t think so,” Heyman said.
Devers’ performance this season helps explain the interest. After a slow start, he has improved at the plate, posting a .246/.318/.481 slash line with 22 home runs, 60 RBI, and a league-leading 27 doubles through games of July 27. Those numbers would look attractive to any contender seeking power and production. Yet the financial weight of his contract continues to overshadow the on-field value in trade discussions.
Heyman was somewhat more open to the possibility of the Giants moving third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman, sidelined since early July, is expected to return for the series against the San Diego Padres that begins July 30.
“I think it’s possible, more likely, not likely but more likely, that they could trade Chapman, who’s got about $120 million to go and has played very well this year,” Heyman said. “Offensively, defensively, both ways, has an extremely high WAR; I could see that more.”
Chapman carries a full no-trade clause, as does shortstop Willy Adames, whom Heyman grouped with Devers as unlikely to be dealt. Despite the obstacles surrounding those longer-term contracts, Heyman remains optimistic about the Giants’ overall deadline outlook.
“I think they’re going to have a good deadline, though,” Heyman said. “Arráez has been great, even defensively, outstanding. And Robbie Ray has pitched very well, as well. Tyler Mahle is another guy they could trade.”
With only a few days left before the deadline, the Giants will continue to weigh offers for their more movable pieces while holding firm on the core players they committed to long term. For now, Rafael Devers appears destined to remain in San Francisco.
