A Sunday afternoon game between the San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins in June isn’t typically one that draws headlines around baseball, but that just so happened to be the case this weekend.
Down 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Rafael Devers drew a leadoff walk to start a potential rally for the Giants. What came next, however, was what stole the spotlight.
While standing on first base, Devers was seen waving his finger and attempting to send pinch runner Jonah Cox back to the dugout. He did so for over 20 seconds before eventually giving in and coming out of the game, then appearing to avoid a pat on the back from one of his coaches.
It was an unusual scene and one that has raised plenty of questions about first-year manager Tony Vitello’s control of the clubhouse.
Vitello spoke to the media about the Devers situation postgame:
“Yeah I mean he was signaling over to us that he was good to run. He DHed in the first game after the day off from a little soreness in his leg, but he’s good to go. A part of that too is just how competitive he is. He wants to stay in the game.
Yeah, I didn’t see where he went afterwards, but once we announced the move, the move is made, so we’re just going with what gives us our best effort to win the game… No, we talk every day, we’re good. I’d rather have guys like Webby where you gotta rip them off the field than vice versa,”
The 29-year-old Devers is in the third year of the 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension he originally signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 before being dealt to the Giants last summer. He’s hitting .238 with 11 HRs and 36 RBI through 77 games this season.
San Francisco currently owns the second-worst record in baseball, and Devers is not producing up to the level he’s capable of — or being paid to.
It all adds up to create a rather messy situation, and one that could eventually see the three-time All-Star back on the move should another team be willing to take on his massive contract.
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