Is SF Giants star Rafael Devers cooked?
SFGATE • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Francisco Giants' trade for Rafael Devers was initially seen as a major solution to their long-standing issues of lacking a middle-of-the-order bat and a superstar player to build around.
- However, Devers has struggled significantly in the current season, batting just .207 with poor power numbers, a high strikeout rate, and one of the worst OPS figures in MLB, raising concerns about his performance and future impact.
- At age 29, Devers shows signs of decline, including decreased bat speed tracked by Statcast, which may indicate that his struggles are more than just a slow start to the season.
- The Giants face a difficult situation as Devers is under contract through 2033 with a large financial commitment, making it unlikely they can trade him without a significant financial loss, and his continued poor performance hampers the team's offensive potential.
- The team’s broader issues with player development, coaching, and culture remain unresolved, and unless Devers can return to his previous form, the Giants risk ongoing mediocrity despite their hopes pinned on him as a franchise cornerstone.
