Former SF Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski refutes narrative around Rafael Devers

The SF Giants traded away long-tenured outfielder Mike Yastrzemski at the trade deadline to the Kansas City Royals. In a recent interview, Yastrzemski came to the defense of Giants slugger Rafael Devers who has taken a lot of criticism this year.

Yastrzemski appeared on the Foul Territory program and was asked about Devers. He was unequivocal in his praise of the left-handed slugger:

Mike Yastrzemski refutes notion that Rafael Devers is a bad teammate

While the Giants have had a terrible record since acquiring Devers in that blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox, Yastrzemski refutes the notion that Devers is some sort of clubhouse cancer or a bad teammate.

"He was the best, man. Like, awesome teammate, willing to do whatever he had to...He works his tail off, he tries to help everybody," Yastrzemski said about Devers. He also noted that Devers would give players a scouting report if they were unfamiliar with a pitcher and that he was incredibly helpful to everyone.

Yastrzemski believes the narrative that Devers is a bad teammate stems from his messy exit in Boston where he refused to play first base and came off as a bit of a diva. However, nothing but good things have been said about him since he came to San Francisco.

Still, the team has just been awful since he arrived. It somehow seems to defy logic, but it is a reminder that trades do not always pan out how you anticipate, at least right away. Devers is under contract until the 2030's, so he still has plenty of time to prove to Giants fans that the deal was worth it.

As for Yastrzemski, he has gotten off to aa decent start with his new team in Kansas City. In 10 games he has six hits in 30 at-bats including two home runs, one of them coming in his first at-bat as a Royal. He also made a pretty sweet catch in right field at Fenway Park, where his grandfather Carl became a legend.

It was sad for Giants fans to see Yastrzemski leave after everything he did in a Giants uniform, yet they did at least get an intriguing prospect for him.

The negative narrative surrounding Devers may not cool down for a while, but at least Yastrzemski is out there fighting against it and sticking up for his former teammate.

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