Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s head of baseball operations, made a bold prediction after trading superstar Rafael Devers to the Giants. Though hard to believe, he suggested that the team might actually be better off without him. Fast forward a few months, and here we are: the Red Sox are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
After the trade, Boston went 51-36, clinching their postseason spot with a thrilling walk-off win over the Tigers. The big question remains: would they have fared better with Devers still in the lineup? Before the trade, projections had the team hovering around 87 to 90 wins, so it’s tough to say how things could have played out differently.
Breslow emphasized confidence in the team’s new configuration. He noted that their roster had talent that could come together effectively, and he believed in manager Alex Cora’s ability to manage the players dynamically. “We had optimism in the players ready to step up,” Breslow remarked. He didn’t dismiss Devers’ talent, but he felt they needed a different strategy to win games.
The week leading up to the trade was particularly tense. It started with a strong performance against the Yankees, but by the time the team returned to Fenway, their postseason hopes seemed dim, with just an 18.8% chance of reaching the playoffs. Behind the scenes, Devers’ dissatisfaction with management had escalated, culminating in a private meeting with team owner John Henry.
Trade talks heated up. While multiple teams were involved, the Giants emerged as the frontrunners. The atmosphere was intense, and Breslow later admitted: “It was the most stressful week of my year.” On the night of the third consecutive win against the Yankees, the trade was finalized. Devers, who had just hit a home run, was informed of the deal before boarding the plane to Seattle. The mood among players was mixed; while some understood the move, others felt the team was taking a hit.
Breslow and the Red Sox navigated a significant overhaul, believing they could regroup around young talent like Roman Anthony, who had just joined the team. Upon Devers’ departure, Anthony stepped into a crucial role, quickly making an impact. He finished the season with an impressive .308 batting average and helped fuel the Red Sox’s turnaround.
Statistics from this period reveal the Red Sox clinched playoff berths not because everything went right, but due to their ability to adapt. Their impressive 10-game winning streak before the All-Star break was a key turning point. Players rallied, motivated partly by external doubts stemming from the Devers trade. Veteran Liam Hendriks noted that team unity strengthened during this challenging time.
As the team approaches the playoffs, they find themselves where many predicted they would be, but through a completely different journey than imagined. Breslow has often reflected on their resiliency. “What does it mean to have team identity?” he asked. “This team is resilient.”
The Red Sox are not just a collection of talented players; they have become a dynamic unit capable of overcoming setbacks. Their future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: they’re ready to make some noise in October.
For more insights on how the Red Sox navigated their season, check out FanGraphs’ playoff odds statistics.
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