Red Sox Rival Slugger Is Surprise Winner of Blockbuster Rafael Devers Trade

This Baltimore Orioles slugger is excited about the Rafael Devers trade, but not for the reason you think.
May 25, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park.
May 25, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Last week, the Boston Red Sox sent the baseball world into a frenzy when they traded All-Star slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a blockbuster deal. 

The trade came out of nowhere as Devers was playing well at the plate and settling in as the Red Sox’s designated hitter. However, it appears that Boston was gauging interest in Devers and found a suitor in the Giants.

As you can imagine, Sox fans weren’t pleased with the trade, especially with what Boston got in return. Meanwhile, the rest of the AL East is excited that they don’t have to see the veteran, who has been one of the best players in the division.

Specifically, one player on the Boston Orioles is happy to see Devers out of the division and the American League, as it increases his chances of making the MLB All-Star Game next month.

“I just wanna shoutout Craig Breslow real quick. Appreciate you, man, for helping me get in the standings,” Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn said jokingly on Foul Territory earlier this week.

Before Devers was traded to the Giants, he was a strong contender to win the vote for the DH spot for the All-Star Game. The veteran slugger was hitting .272 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI, while possessing an OPS of .905 across 73 games with the Red Sox.

Meanwhile, O’Hearn is having a career year at the plate with the O’s. The 31-year-old lefty is hitting .302 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. His OPS (.865) is slightly lower than Devers, but when you look at the other DH candidates, it's the best now in the AL.

O’Hearn is currently the leading vote getter at DH, but he’ll have some competition to fend off in the coming weeks, but it won’t include the ex-Red Sox slugger.

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