The San Francisco Giants entered the 2026 campaign with high hopes, but early results have been anything but reassuring. A 23rd‑ranked team wRC+ and a 24th‑ranked staff ERA illustrate a roster that is underperforming on both offense and pitching.
Adding to the turbulence, the club acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a ‘bad contract swap’ that involved Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III and Jose Bello. The move was intended to inject power into the lineup, yet the third‑bagger has struggled to find his footing.
Devers' Defensive Decline
Defensively, Devers has posted a career‑wide -46 OAA at third base and a -3 OAA at first base over 589.1 innings, signaling a noticeable drop in his fielding metrics. The regression is especially concerning given his reputation as a solid corner infielder.
Offensively, the numbers paint an equally troubling picture. In 2026 he is slashing .246/.291/.415, producing a 98 wRC+, while his bat speed has slipped from the 68th percentile in 2023 to the 39th percentile this year. His whiff rate now sits in the 14th percentile, reflecting a higher rate of missed swings.
Injuries have become a recurring theme for Devers, who has battled shoulder and lower‑body issues each season since 2021. Compounding the on‑field concerns is his contract: $199.5 million over seven years, a financial burden that limits the Giants’ flexibility in exploring trades.
The team’s poor start has sparked speculation about a potential fire sale, but moving Devers would be a complex undertaking. His hefty deal and declining performance make him an unattractive piece for many suitors, leaving the Giants to weigh a possible roster overhaul against the risk of further destabilizing the clubhouse.