Red Sox great David Ortiz talks 'maturity' in relation to Rafael Devers trade

Hunter Dobbins spoke with John Smoltz after the Boston Red Sox's win vs. the New York Yankees.

The Boston Red Sox’s decision to trade Rafael Devers sparked an intriguing reaction from Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortz on Monday.

The Red Sox stunningly traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players, including Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks. The deal marked the end of a saga between the front office and Devers, which started when Boston signed Alex Bregman. 

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Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers, #11, rounds third base en route to scoring during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on April 26, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

The Red Sox asked Devers to move from third base – an ask he refused. When Triston Casas got hurt, Devers also was not going to move to first base. Red Sox manager Alex Cora even referred to Devers as his designated hitter.

The issue started a snowball effect that ended with Boston trading Devers to the National League West team. Ortiz told The Athletic he knew the situation with Devers "wasn’t going to end well," but seemed to suggest Devers lacked "maturity" in the situation.

"I played for the Red Sox a long time. You think everything with me and the Red Sox was roses and flowers? I went through some tough times also," he said. "But I was mature enough to understand and keep things internal. Even in the best families, between the best brothers, s--- happens. You need to have the maturity to resolve the problems and move on."

Former Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Boston on Sept. 9,