The Boston Red Sox have made another decision involving the final remaining player from the blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, and the latest development has once again put the spotlight on how dramatically the original return has changed.
When Boston agreed to trade Devers in June 2025, the move immediately became one of the most talked-about transactions in baseball. Devers had been one of the most recognizable and productive players in a Red Sox uniform, making the decision to move him particularly difficult for many fans to accept.
In return, Boston received a package that included pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, outfielder James Tibbs III and right-handed pitching prospect Jose Bello. At the time, the Red Sox hoped the collection of players would provide both immediate help and long-term value.
Instead, the organization has gradually moved on from almost every piece of the package, leaving Bello as the only player from the original Devers trade still in Boston’s organization.
That makes the Red Sox’s latest decision involving him particularly noteworthy.
Bello was promoted from Single-A Salem to High-A Greenville on August 29, appearing to take another step forward in his development. However, his stay in Greenville lasted only a few days before Boston returned him to Salem on September 1.
The organization did not publicly provide a detailed explanation for the quick move, leaving questions about whether it was simply part of Bello’s developmental plan or a decision based on his recent performance.
The 21-year-old right-hander has experienced a challenging 2026 season. With Salem, Bello has posted a 2-6 record and a 4.34 ERA over 66⅓ innings. He has appeared in 18 games, including 11 starts, while recording 48 strikeouts and 33 walks.
Those numbers aren’t necessarily what Boston would have hoped to see from one of the most important remaining pieces of the Devers trade, but Bello is still very young and remains a developing prospect.
His situation is also different from that of the other players Boston acquired in the deal because the Red Sox still have time to see what he can become.
Kyle Harrison, one of the biggest names in the original return, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in February as part of another deal that brought Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler to Boston.
Jordan Hicks also didn’t remain with the Red Sox long term. After struggling during his time in Boston, he was eventually dealt to the Chicago White Sox.
James Tibbs III, another highly regarded piece of the package, was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Dustin May.
With those three players now gone, Bello has become the final link to the original Devers trade.
That distinction could become increasingly important if the young pitcher eventually develops into a legitimate major-league contributor.
Bello’s return to Salem should not automatically be viewed as a sign that the Red Sox have given up on him. Young pitchers are frequently moved between minor-league levels based on workload, mechanics, performance and specific developmental goals.
At only 21 years old, Bello still has plenty of time to improve.
His fastball can reach the mid-90s, while his cutter and slider give him additional weapons to work with. Improving his command and consistency will likely be among the biggest priorities as he continues his development.
For Boston, the ideal scenario is obvious. The organization would like Bello to continue developing, eventually reach the majors and become a productive pitcher who can contribute to the Red Sox for years.
If that happens, Bello could become an important part of the long-term story surrounding the Devers trade.
If he doesn’t, however, the transaction could become even more difficult for Boston fans to look back on favorably.
Trades involving established stars are often judged years later rather than immediately. Boston exchanged a proven superstar for several players who were expected to help reshape the organization, meaning the ultimate evaluation of the deal will depend on what those players — and the players acquired in subsequent trades involving them — eventually accomplish.
For now, Bello remains the last piece of the original return still in the Red Sox system.
His latest move back to Salem may not be a dramatic transaction by itself, but it carries plenty of significance because of the history attached to his name.
Every step Bello takes from this point forward will likely receive additional attention from Red Sox fans because of what he represents.
Boston doesn’t need him to immediately justify the entire Devers trade. The organization simply needs him to keep developing and give itself a chance to eventually benefit from the potential that made him part of the original package.
For now, the Red Sox have chosen to send Bello back to Salem, giving the young right-hander another opportunity to work on his game and continue his development.
Whether this becomes just another routine stop in Bello’s minor-league journey or an important turning point in the final remaining chapter of the Devers trade remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Bello’s development has become much more significant for Red Sox fans now that he is the final player remaining from one of the most consequential trades in recent franchise history.
