The Rafael Devers trade kicked the playoff door open, can the Rangers walk through?

At 36-36, the Texas Rangers are currently just a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild card standings. It is only mid-June, but it appeared that the Beantowners were going to be one of the teams that they would have had to surpass if they wanted to make the playoffs without winning the West.

With the trade of all-star DH Rafael Devers out of the American League, cross-country to the National League's San Francisco Giants, he is a potential hurdle and headache the Rangers won't have to deal with. It also begs the question of whether the Red Sox are waving the white flag on the season.

Rafael Devers is a bona fide all-star, but has had issues with Red Sox management this season

After a bizarre start to the 2025 campaign, which saw Devers fan 15 times in a row, he has returned to his all-star form, hitting .272 with 15 bombs and 58 RBI. He is opsing at a monstrous .905.

So, why in the world would the BoSox send him to the Bay Area for a package that includes LHP Kyle Harrison, RHP Jordan Hicks, OF prospect James Tibbs and minor league RHP Jose Bello?

Was the tension between Devers and the Boston brass more than they were willing to deal with? Devers has been outspoken all season about his frustration with management and their decision to move him away from third base in favor of newly acquired Alex Bregman.

He also refused to make the switch to first base following a vacancy when Triston Casas landed on the 60-Day IL with a knee injury. Devers was a man without a position even as he continued to mash as a designated hitter.

The trade signals that the Red Sox are going to get out of the way for the Rangers

Even though the Red Sox are getting a talented group of young players in return for Devers, an organization over .500 on June 15, and still very much in the hunt for a playoff berth doesn't trade away their best, most consistent offensive weapon for more inexperienced younger players unless they are throwing in the towel on the season.

Whatever the case, you won't hear any complaints from the president of baseball operations, Chris Young, and the Rangers organization coming from Arlington. In 45 games against Texas in Devers' career, he has clubbed 8 home runs and driven in 28 while slugging at a .805 clip. At least in the short term, Young has to be thinking, "good riddance!"

Right now, Texas trails Boston by just a half-game coming off a series sweep of the Chicago White Sox that lifted their overall record to 36-36 and winners of 7 of their last 8 contests.

Along with the Red Sox, the Rangers are jockeying with the Minnesota Twins and AL West rival Seattle Mariners for a wild card spot as we come upon the midway point of the season.