How SF Giants avoided giving up top two prospects to land Rafael Devers

The SF Giants trading for Rafael Devers was a win on multiple levels. Of course, adding a star slugger with a career .510 slugging percentage and .859 OPS is a win on its own. The fact that San Francisco retained their top two prospects while doing so is equally as victorious.

The Giants ultimately traded major leaguers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, along with prospects James Tibbs and Jose Bello to the Red Sox in exchange for Devers. That return felt underwhelming, although considering the money the Giants will be taking on, it makes the trade appear a little more fair.

SF Giants score big win by not surrendering top two prospects in Devers trade

However, a recent report from The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly revealed Boston initially pushed for the Giants' No. 1 prospect, and the No. 18 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, Bryce Eldridge.

"In the early stages, the Red Sox insisted upon 20-year-old first base prospect Bryce Eldridge," wrote Baggarly.

It makes sense that Boston would covet Eldridge. The first baseman hasn't even turned 21 and is already tearing up the minor leagues. He would have been the fourth top-20 prospect Boston could have debuted in 2025, joining Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony. He could have been the team's backup plan in case Triston Casas can't stay on the field and productive. It would have made too much sense for Boston to trade for Eldridge, but the Giants did not give in.

"The Giants refused to consider including him in the deal," wrote Baggerly.

It is possible that had the Giants included Eldridge, or their No. 2 prospect, Carson Whisenhunt, they could have brought down the price tag by not having to take on the entire rest of Devers' contract. The Mets saved $20 million on Robinson Cano's contract when they traded their top prospect Jarred Kelenic to the Mariners in 2018. San Francisco likely could have saved costs by sending Boston a more top-heavy prospect haul.

Instead, Posey and the Giants did not even consider that an option. San Francisco put their players over the checkbooks, making a decision that will benefit the long-term success of the team, even if it means taking a financial risk of over $250 million with Devers. Soon, they will have a lineup that includes both Devers and Eldridge, and hopefully, as the young slugger breaks out, their decisions will pay off.