Giants-Rafael Devers package proves Padres got hosed on past blockbuster trades

The San Diego Padres are no stranger to handing away their entire farm for a desired superstar in return. To have Juan Soto on the roster for a year-and-a-half, the Friars gave the Washington Nationals a boatload of talent in return, which included CJ Abrams, James Wood, Robert Hassell III, and MacKenzie Gore.

Then, the Padres acquired reliever Tanner Scott last year as a rental, giving the Marlins some of the organization's top prospects in Robby Snelling, Adam Mazur, Graham Pauley, and Jay Beshears. Three of those four minor leaguers were ranked within San Diego's Top 5 prospects at the time of the trade.

So, knowing that the Padres have recently been open to giving away their best young talent, the latest blockbuster trade in Major League Baseball is a bit embarrassing for San Diego. Their NL West rival in the San Francisco Giants acquired Red Sox All-Star Rafael Devers, all while giving up practically nothing to get him on the team.

Devers, 28, is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger - basically an untouchable player in the Boston organization. Yet, the Giants only gave up their No. 4 prospect and a couple of middle-of-the-road pitchers to garner him? San Francisco will take on the rest of the $250 million that Devers is owed over the next eight years, but this is a huge statement made by the Giants. They're looking to contend this season, as they sit one game ahead of the Padres for second place in the division standings, which is two games back of the Dodgers for first place.

Just looking back at the endless pit of top prospects that the Padres gave away recently for two players who are no longer on the roster, mixed with the Giants landing Devers in this head-scratching deal, this does not sit well with Friars fans. Sure, that contract is steep, but Devers has 58 RBIs and a league-best 56 walks this season, alongside 15 home runs, 18 doubles, and an OPS over .900. His worth is far greater than what San Francisco gave away, which shows up the Padres' front office staff and their trading methods.