The $28.5 Million Problem: Rafael Devers' Latest Tantrum Makes His 0.4 fWAR Look Even Worse

Man, you gotta see what went down in San Francisco on Sunday. The Giants were down by one run in the ninth against the Marlins when manager Tony Vitello opted for a speedier pinch runner, Jonah Cox, for Rafael Devers. What happened next? Pure drama. Devers totally lost it, waving Cox off and clearly telling him he wasn't leaving the game. Seriously, what was he thinking?

Waving Off a Teammate? That's Not How You Play Ball

Picture this: Cox is heading to first, ready to do his job, and Devers is just standing there, gesturing wildly for him to go back to the dugout. Cox looked confused. Eventually, Devers gave in, but he wasn't happy. He ripped off his helmet, visibly upset, and trudged toward the bench. Think that's the end? Nope. He kept sulking in the dugout, even awkwardly ducking away when a coach tried to give him a supportive pat. It’s wild behavior, especially for their highest-paid star, and speaks to a huge lack of professionalism. And with zero stolen bases in 166 Giants games, that "speedier player" move made total sense.

A $28.5 Million Investment With Serious Attitude BaggageTrade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

2> This isn't a one-off for Devers. The 29-year-old has been struggling big time since San Francisco snagged him in a blockbuster trade from the Red Sox last season. In 166 games with the Giants, he's posted a .776 OPS, hit 31 home runs, 87 RBIs, and a staggering 212 strikeouts. His '26 season, with a meager 0.4 fWAR in 76 games, has been his absolute worst statistically. He’s under contract through 2033, set to earn $28.5 million annually from '27 to '33. And get this: his attitude has been a problem before. That huge trade last year? It was sparked by his attitude issues with the Red Sox. He apparently resisted a move to DH after Alex Bregman signed, then resisted playing first base when Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury. Looks like San Francisco inherited more than a power bat. So, there's a struggling, highly-paid slugger openly pouting when a coach makes a strategic move to help the team. Agree with the pinch-runner or not, Devers' emotional display was way out of line. He's got a long way to go to win over San Francisco's fan base, and this stunt certainly didn't help. The Giants have a real problem on their hands with their supposed star, and it looks like it's only getting worse.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.