While the Red Sox front office kept reiterating that it was a pure baseball trade, the honest truth is that it was a culture trade. They didn’t believe they could win another championship with Devers. They believed he was the wrong guy to be the centerpiece of the franchise. They didn’t think he would become a leader. So, he is gone.

Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers hits a two run RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Butch Dill

Sam Kennedy and Craig Breslow went out of their way to not bash Rafael Devers on his way out the door Monday. But they didn't sugarcoat relations between the Red Sox and their former star player, either.