Posey may have played 3D chess prior to blockbuster SF Giants trade for Devers

Buster Posey and the SF Giants shocked the baseball world with their blockbuster trade for Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers. Kyle Harrison was probably the biggest thing Boston got in return, possibly thanks to some three dimensional chess from Posey.

In total, the Giants sent the left-handed pitcher Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, top draft pick James Tibbs III, and prospect Jose Bello to Boston. It's fairly remarkable that the Giants did not have to include either of their top two prospects, slugger Bryce Eldridge or pitcher Carson Whisenhunt, to get a deal done.

Posey's 3D chess may have helped SF Giants secure a deal for Devers with Boston

Recently, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow appeared on KNBR and related a conversation he had with Posey about their crop of young starters. According to Krukow, Posey asked who among Landen Roupp, Hayden Birdsong, and Harrison had the highest upside. Krukow, a former pitcher in his own right, said he believed Harrison had the most upside because he really only has a strong fastball as of right now which means he has the potential to develop his secondary pitches more over time.

This is not an unreasonable take at all given the fact that just a few years ago Harrison was the top prospect in San Francisco's organization. Comparisons were made to Madison Bumgarner and his debut in 2023 gave many hope he could develop into a future ace.

However, injuries and decreased velocity in 2024 made it seem like perhaps the prophecy on Harrison had been misread. Despite missing out on the Opening Day roster in 2025, he eventually got promoted after he regained his fastball velocity and has looked solid in the big leagues this season.

Yet, the timing of Krukow's comments on his discussion with Posey given the massive trade for Devers seems like it cannot be entirely coincidental. Posey certainly did not want to have to give up Eldridge or Whisenhunt as part of a deal, so why not leak a little something like saying Harrison has the most upside of any of the team's young starters if you want to get a deal done by making Boston feel like they're getting the best young arm in the organization?

Perhaps that is too cynical a reading of things, but it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Posey is a smart guy. Chances are he has come across Machiavelli's The Prince at some point in his life. “Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”

While an argument can be made that Harrison had the highest upside of those three, one could easily make an argument that Birdsong has the most upside as he is the same age as Harrison. He has an electric fastball as well and already has a solid breaking ball and changeup to go with it. If he can develop those pitches more and add even more things to his repertoire then it is not unreasonable to think he could one day be an ace for the Giants.

Again, this could be reading between the lines too much. But one cannot help but turn a slightly suspicious eye towards Krukow's comments coming just before this huge trade. Posey got his slugger and he may have just employed some three dimensional chess to get it done.