Did the Red Sox Trade Devers to Fund Liverpool’s Wirtz Deal? Fans Think So

Red Sox Drop a Bombshell: Rafael Devers to Giants, but Wait—Is Liverpool to Blame?

Boston just broke the hearts of Sox Nation—and maybe their brains too.

If you're a baseball fan and your phone lit up with news that Rafael Devers is headed to the San Francisco Giants, you're probably still trying to process it. This wasn’t just another trade deadline move. This was a gut-punch, a curveball no one saw coming—especially considering the return package was, well… underwhelming at best.

But hold up. Before we get too deep into the numbers and emotions of this MLB shake-up, let’s take a sharp turn across the Atlantic. Trust me, this all connects in the weirdest way.

Wait... What’s Going On in Liverpool?

On the very same day Devers was shipped off to San Francisco, Liverpool FC, one of the biggest names in global soccer, dropped a stunner of their own: they agreed to sign German wunderkind Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. And the price tag? Oh, just a casual €136.3 million (around £116 million), with nearly €117.5 million upfront and another €18.8 million in performance-based add-ons.

Yeah, that’s not pocket change.

Here’s where it gets spicy.

Liverpool is owned by Fenway Sports Group (FSG). You know who else FSG owns?

The Boston Red Sox.

Fans Are Connecting the Dots—And the Math

Now here’s where the conspiracy theories come in hot, and honestly, some of them don’t sound that crazy.

Fans immediately started firing off on social media—especially Boston fans who were already emotionally wrecked from losing their beloved third baseman. Some started questioning the timing of these two blockbuster moves. Could it be that the Red Sox, in trading away Devers and freeing up that hefty long-term contract, were indirectly financing Liverpool’s massive signing?

Bill Simmons, the Boston sports guru and die-hard Sox fan, didn’t waste time jumping on the theory either. In a tweet that lit up the Boston Twitterverse, Simmons jokingly (or maybe seriously?) asked if the Red Sox just sacrificed Devers to cover Wirtz’s transfer fee.

It sounds wild… but is it really?

Let’s Talk Devers: This One Hurts

Devers wasn’t just a fan favorite—he was a franchise cornerstone. Signed through 2033 after a massive 11-year, $331 million extension just last year, it looked like he was locked in as the face of the franchise. Sure, there were rumors earlier this year about tension between Devers and Red Sox leadership, but things seemed to cool down. At least publicly.

Apparently, the Red Sox front office had other plans.

And here's the kicker: the Giants didn’t even give up a top-tier return. No blue-chip prospects, no blockbuster name coming back. It was one of those trades that felt more like a salary dump than a calculated rebuild or future play.

So... Did FSG Choose Soccer Over Baseball?

Whether or not you believe the conspiracy theories, there’s no denying this: Fenway Sports Group is a business, and businesses care about assets, portfolios, and bottom lines. Liverpool is a global brand with lucrative TV rights, worldwide merchandising, and massive Champions League implications. Baseball, despite its rich history in Boston, doesn't exactly move global merchandise like Liverpool does.

From a pure business perspective, it wouldn't be insane to prioritize funding a superstar in the soccer world over keeping a baseball slugger—even if that slugger is Rafael freakin’ Devers.

But that doesn’t mean Red Sox fans have to like it.

Let’s Not Forget: This Isn't the First Time Fans Felt This Way

If this whole “Red Sox sacrifice star player for Liverpool gains” narrative feels familiar, it’s because it’s not the first time FSG has faced these kinds of accusations.

Remember the Mookie Betts trade? Yep, still a sore spot.

That was another situation where Boston fans were told it was all about “resetting the payroll” or “building for the future,” only to watch their MVP flourish in L.A. Meanwhile, Liverpool was thriving, winning Premier League and Champions League trophies with full FSG backing.

It’s no wonder fans are frustrated. The optics are ugly, the timing is suspect, and the communication from the front office? Silent as a graveyard.

What Now for Boston?

This trade leaves the Red Sox in a weird limbo. They’re not quite rebuilding, but also not clearly competing. It’s a murky middle ground that frustrates fans and players alike.

Without Devers, the team loses a key clubhouse leader, a consistent bat in the lineup, and frankly, one of the only reasons some fans even bothered showing up to Fenway during this bumpy season.

Meanwhile, the front office remains quiet, refusing to clarify whether this was part of a larger plan or a necessary sacrifice for other investments.

Giants Just Scored Big—And They Know It

From San Francisco’s end, they’re ecstatic. The Giants have desperately needed a power bat and a fan-drawing name. They missed out on Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa in the past. Now, they’ve landed a player who still has years of prime ahead and isn’t afraid of the big moment.

Even if the Red Sox got little in return, this is a win-now move for San Francisco.

Final Thoughts: Smoke, Fire, and Fenway Fatigue

Conspiracy or not, the optics are clear: fans are tired of watching stars walk away, tired of excuses about payroll, and really tired of watching Liverpool fans celebrate while Boston fans mourn.

If Fenway Sports Group is truly using one sports empire to bankroll another, that’s not just bad business optics—it’s borderline betrayal to the passionate fanbases that helped build their empire in the first place.

At the very least, the Red Sox owe their fans transparency.

But in Boston, where legends are made and loyalty runs deep, this move won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

TL;DR – Here’s the Hot Take Recap:

• Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to the Giants—return is meh.

• Liverpool signs Florian Wirtz for €136.3 million on the same day.

• Both clubs are owned by Fenway Sports Group.

• Fans—including Bill Simmons—suspect the Sox dumped salary to help fund Liverpool’s splurge.

• Red Sox front office? Dead silent.

• Boston fans? Furious. And skeptical.

• Giants? Grinning.

Boston lost a slugger. Liverpool gained a star. But at what cost? Only time—and maybe a few angry podcast rants—will tell.

Let me know if you want a second part exploring possible replacement plans for the Red Sox or a breakdown of Wirtz's profile!