Padres’ rivals remind us even Rafael Devers can’t save bad chemistry

When the San Francisco Giants swung for the fences on June 15, acquiring Rafael Devers in a blockbuster deal, the move was supposed to change everything. On paper, it had the makings of a season-defining power shift, one that could create a three-headed monster in the NL West alongside the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. Instead, it’s been a sobering reminder that star power alone can’t fix a fractured clubhouse.

Since landing Devers, the Giants have stumbled to an 18-31 record, including a sweep at the hands of the Padres — sinking from division hopefuls to deadline sellers in a matter of weeks. The deal was meant to be a spark, but instead it only exposed cracks that were already there.

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Devers himself has slashed .230/.344/.416 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs, not up to his standard of production but still, some teams would welcome it. Baseball is rarely that simple. Dropping into a new clubhouse midseason means learning a new pitching staff, adjusting to different ballparks, and forging bonds in a room where friendships and hierarchies have already been established. Even the most talented players need time to find their voice in a new environment, especially when dropped into a team that’s pressing for results.

The Giants’ aggressive roster shake-up under new president of baseball operations Buster Posey brought in talent, but not necessarily cohesion. They added bats. They added arms. What they didn’t add was a shared foundation, the kind that comes from going through the grind together, weathering the streaks and slumps, and building trust in the process.

Contrast that with the Padres, who aren’t afraid to chase a flashy midseason headline-grabber. But do it while doubling down on a core that’s been through playoff wars together. Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and others have more than just stat lines; they have shared history. They know how to navigate the tension of a tight division race because they’ve done it before, side-by-side.

Devers is an elite player, and the Giants will almost certainly benefit from his presence long-term. But this season has been a reminder that chemistry isn’t something you can trade for. It’s built over time, in dugouts and clubhouses, through the kind of battles that forge trust.

The Padres already have that foundation. The Giants are going to need more time trying to build it.

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