Red Sox Look to Trade Jordan Hicks Post-Devers Deal
In a move that underscores the volatile nature of MLB roster management, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly engaging in trade talks for pitcher Jordan Hicks, less than a year after acquiring him in the blockbuster deal that sent Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. This development, first reported by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, signals Boston's ongoing efforts to refine its pitching staff amid a turbulent rebuild.
The Shocking Devers Trade: A Quick Recap
The baseball world was stunned in June 2025 when the Red Sox traded their homegrown superstar, third baseman Rafael Devers, to the Giants. Devers, a three-time All-Star known for his prodigious power and fan adoration, was shipped out for a quartet of prospects and players: outfielder James Tibbs III, pitchers Kyle Harrison, Jose Bello, and the veteran right-hander Jordan Hicks.
The trade was seen as a bold pivot for Boston, prioritizing youth and pitching depth over established star power. Devers, under team control through 2033, fetched a solid return, but the Red Sox have already flipped parts of the package. Tibbs, a promising outfield prospect, was dealt just over a month later for starting pitcher Dustin May, who posted a middling 5.40 ERA in limited action with Boston.
Now, Hicks appears next on the chopping block, potentially making him the second key returnee to depart Fenway Park. This rapid turnover raises questions about the long-term vision for a franchise still smarting from recent playoff droughts.
Hicks' Rocky Tenure in Boston
Jordan Hicks, a 6-foot-2 righty with a fastball that can touch 98 mph, arrived in Boston with high hopes. Prior to the trade, he had shown flashes of brilliance with the Giants. In early 2024, Hicks transitioned successfully from the bullpen to the starting rotation, boasting a sub-4.00 ERA in his first handful of outings. However, his performance cratered thereafter, with a 6.42 ERA over his subsequent nine starts.
San Francisco's indecision—yo-yoing him between starter and reliever—didn't help, but the struggles persisted. Upon joining the Red Sox, Hicks made 21 appearances, primarily out of the bullpen, and the results were underwhelming: an 8.20 ERA across 18.2 innings, surrendering 25 hits and 12 walks. His command issues, coupled with lingering durability concerns from past injuries, have made him a tough fit for Boston's pitching-needy rotation.
Analysts point to Hicks' underlying metrics as a mixed bag. While his strikeout rate remains solid at around 9.5 per nine innings, his walk rate has ballooned to 5.8, and opponents are hitting .310 against him in Boston. These red flags, combined with his age (28 entering 2026), suggest the Red Sox may view him as a short-term bridge at best.
Contract Complications and Trade Realities
Hicks is locked into a two-year, $25 million deal with Boston, carrying $12.5 million salaries for both 2026 and 2027. That's premium pricing for a pitcher who's struggled to stay on the mound consistently—Hicks has never exceeded 100 innings in a season. To facilitate a trade, the Red Sox are likely prepared to absorb a significant portion of his salary, a common tactic in MLB to offload underperforming contracts.
Potential suitors could include rebuilding teams seeking bullpen depth or contenders willing to bet on Hicks' raw stuff at a discount. Teams like the Detroit Tigers or Pittsburgh Pirates, flush with young talent, might dangle prospects in exchange. However, Boston's willingness to eat money could broaden the market, perhaps attracting clubs like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers looking for low-risk arms.
Broadening the Red Sox's Offseason Strategy
This potential Hicks trade fits into a larger narrative of flux for the Red Sox. After failing to land free agent Alex Bregman—whose services went elsewhere—the team redirected funds to sign lefty Ranger Suárez to a lucrative five-year, $130 million extension. Suárez, a reliable mid-rotation starter with a career 3.45 ERA, bolsters Boston's front line alongside Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello.
Yet, the rotation remains a question mark. Dustin May's injury history and inconsistent results haven't inspired confidence, and prospects like Kyle Harrison (still raw at 23) need time to develop. Trading Hicks could free up resources for another splash—perhaps targeting Detroit's Tarik Skubal, whose asking price has already scared off some suitors—or bolstering the bullpen, where Kenley Jansen's departure left a void.
Boston's front office, led by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, has emphasized flexibility. The Devers trade, while painful for fans, netted assets that could yield more value if flipped strategically. If Hicks moves, it would mark the third transaction stemming from that deal, highlighting a 'win now, sort later' approach to roster construction.
Implications for Fans and the 2026 Season
For Red Sox faithful, the Hicks saga is a microcosm of the franchise's rebuild pains. Losing Devers was a gut punch, but the returns haven't yet translated to on-field success—Boston finished 2025 at .500, missing the playoffs for the third straight year. Trading Hicks might sting less, given his poor showing, but it underscores the risk of prospect-heavy deals in a game dominated by star power.
Looking ahead to 2026, the AL East remains a gauntlet with the Yankees and Orioles ascendant. Boston's success will hinge on Suárez's integration, young arms like Harrison stepping up, and smart trades like this one. If executed well, moving Hicks could provide the salary relief and prospects needed to contend.
As trade rumors swirl, all eyes are on Fenway. Will Hicks be the next chapter in Boston's ongoing transformation, or a footnote in a larger pitching overhaul? Only time—and perhaps a few more deals—will tell.
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