Fed up, the Red Sox traded Devers and the entire $250 million that remains on his 11-year, $331-million contract extension for left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, who promptly was optioned to Triple-A, plus injured right-hander Jordan Hicks, High-A ball outfielder prospect James Tibbs III and rookie ball pitcher Jose Bello.

The blockbuster trade was the culmination of eroded trust, fraying relationships and a deeper breakdown inside one of MLB's most visible franchises.

Rather than try to fix a problem they caused in the first place, Boston management traded their best hitter for little in return.