Fed up, the Red Sox traded Devers and the entire $250 million that remains on his 11-year, $331-million contract extension for left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, who promptly was optioned to Triple-A, plus injured right-hander Jordan Hicks, High-A ball outfielder prospect James Tibbs III and rookie ball pitcher Jose Bello.

The blockbuster trade was the culmination of eroded trust, fraying relationships and a deeper breakdown inside one of MLB's most visible franchises.

Fans questioned the decision by the Boston Red Sox to trade star slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, but one legend came to the franchise's defense.