Shortly after the Pink Sox swept the Yankees on Sunday, Boston shocked the Bombers by buying and selling Rafael Devers.
“I got the notification, and I was shocked,” Cody Bellinger mentioned. “I think it was different because we just played them. So I was like, ‘Whoa.’”
The Sox shipped Devers to the Giants in change for right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison and prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello. The blockbuster got here simply two years after the Pink Sox gave Devers a 10-year, $313 million extension — the biggest contract in staff historical past — and after months of battle between the 2 events over the place Devers ought to play.
“I think it certainly caught the baseball world a little off guard, and everyone’s a little bit stunned,” Aaron Boone mentioned earlier than the Yankees started a collection with the Angels on Monday. “But when the dust settles, you’re also not stunned, just with all the noise around that over the last couple of months. So obviously it’s a great player and a big-time bat leaving our division. We’ll see how it works out.”
A 3rd baseman his entire profession, Devers didn’t wish to DH after the membership signed Alex Bregman. He ultimately accepted the no-defense position however then resisted a staff request to play first after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee damage. That occurred a couple of month in the past.
Tensions between the star, the final remnant of Boston’s 2018 championship staff, and membership had appeared to chill within the weeks since, however the Pink Sox despatched shockwaves by the baseball world once they ended Devers’ tenure in unceremonious style on Sunday.
Devers has been a thorn within the Yankees’ aspect all through his profession, so it’s not like he’ll be missed within the American League East.
Whereas he has made life significantly exhausting on Gerrit Cole, Devers totaled a .270 common, .880 OPS, 31 homers and 78 RBI over 119 video games in opposition to the Yankees as a member of the Pink Sox. On Sunday, the 28-year-old homered in opposition to the Yankees in his final official at-bat with Boston.
Then the Pink Sox dropped a bombshell, concluding his position within the rivalry. Nonetheless, Boone wouldn’t say that he was blissful to see the three-time All-Star find yourself on the opposite aspect of the nation.
“I don’t know. It’s not my area to work,” Boone mentioned. “I mean, careful what you wish for. You never know how these things shake out and what it means for either team. So that stuff’s gotta play out.”
Bellinger, in the meantime, famous that he was a member of the Dodgers when the Pink Sox traded one other World Collection-winning icon, Mookie Betts, to LA in 2020. In 2022, the Sox additionally did not signal Xander Bogaerts, one other a part of that 2018 staff.
Nonetheless, Bellinger doesn’t consider gamers are taking Boston’s observe report with homegrown stars into consideration in free company.
“I honestly don’t think it’s a thought. I really don’t,” Bellinger mentioned. “The fit’s the fit. I don’t think there’s a thought.”
Cousins Wants Tommy John
Issues had been already trending on this course, however Boone mentioned that Jake Cousins does the truth is want Tommy John surgical procedure. The skipper believed the process is scheduled for Wednesday. It will likely be carried out by Dr. Keith Meister.
With Cousins out long-term, there may be a fair larger want for the Yankees so as to add to their bullpen previous to the commerce deadline.
Brubaker In The Bronx
JT Brubaker made an look at Yankee Stadium on Monday, as he was informed to report for catch play. The righty, who broke his ribs making an attempt to keep away from a comebacker in spring coaching, made his sixth rehab begin on Friday.
“He’s getting close to potential activation, so he’s here kind of finishing off his rehab a little bit,” Boone mentioned, including he sees Brubaker as a possible long-man after increase as a starter.
A member of the Yankees’ 40-man roster, Brubaker doesn’t have any minor league choices left, so the membership should activate him, designate him for task or commerce him as soon as his rehab task, which started on Could 18, ends. The Yankees might possibility Scott Effross to create space for Brubaker when the time comes. Yerry De los Santos and Ian Hamilton are different prospects.
Brubaker, acquired from the Pirates in March 2024, has not pitched within the majors since 2022. He was nonetheless rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure on the time of the commerce, and he additionally suffered an indirect damage final season.
Now, nevertheless, Brubaker mentioned he seems like he did pre-surgery. With the 31-year-old probably nearing his Yankees debut, he mentioned he by no means misplaced hope that he’d make it again to the massive leagues.
“Just the love for the game, the competitive edge,” Brubaker mentioned of what’s stored him going. “I suppose it’s like an dependancy. The adrenaline rush is a drug.
“It makes it even better to be on the biggest stage in Major League Baseball here at Yankee Stadium.”
