From the trade of Rafael Devers to the All-State Show, these were the top sports stories for the week ending June 21

The stunning trade of Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants was probably the top story of the week, but there was plenty of other news in The Providence Journal and providencejournal.com/sports. The Patriots held minicamp, their final warmup before training camp in July, and the high school sports season officially came to a close with the Providence Journal All-State Awards Show. The local college basketball teams also continued to make news as they try to upgrade for next season.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 03: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after his at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on June 03, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

◘The Boston Red Sox traded slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. The Red Sox received pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison as well as prospects James Tibbs III (outfielder) and Jose Bello (pitcher). The trade was first reported by Fansided. According to USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale, Devers was informed of the trade and pulled off the team plane as the Red Sox were about to depart for Seattle. Boston (37-36, fourth place in the American League East) had just completed a three-game sweep of the Yankees with a 2-0 win on Sunday, June 15. The Giants will pay the entirety of Devers’ remaining 10-year, $315-million contract, reported Nightengale. Hicks had signed a four-year, $44-million deal with the Giants in January 2024, while Harrison is playing on a one-year deal worth $760,000.

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◘The trade caused plenty of controversy. Sunday brought yet another trade that should be reserved for lesser franchises in Major League Baseball. The Red Sox aren’t supposed to be shipping out club cornerstones, says columnist Bill Koch. Period. They have the resources to sign, acquire and retain anyone they please. Any belief to the contrary is simply false. Rafael Devers going to the San Francisco Giants for no immediate help on the 2025 roster immediately dampened what should have been a statement weekend at Fenway Park. Boston swept the rival New York Yankees to make it a five-game winning streak, matching a season-high. The immediate losers in all this, of course, are the fans. That’s just about always the case. Devers will start fresh elsewhere and bank his millions, Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will frame this as necessary for the long-term future of the club and manager Alex Cora will be left to reassure his remaining players they can still contend over the rest of this summer.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel discusses his roster during minicamp.

◘Meanwhile, in Foxboro: Stockpiling talent on a roster is the easy part for any would-be general manager in the NFL. However, New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf will have to make their toughest decisions yet when it comes time to whittle down the main roster to 53 players this summer.

Given the regime change, there will certainly be some surprise training camp cuts. That sets the stage for one of the most competitive summers in recent memory for the Patriots. They cleared the final hurdle before training camp by wrapping up mandatory minicamp. Now, they’ll turn their attention toward a long break and a July 22 return to begin preparing for the 2025 season. Who will end up making the roster in the end?

The Providence Journal All-State awards show with guest speaker Clay Holstad of the RIFC at the Providence Performing Arts center on June 18, 2025. [David DelPoio/The Providence Journal]

◘Soccer player Clay Holstad, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, was the featured guest at the 2025 Providence Journal All-State Awards Show. Holstad shared his experiences transitioning from the South to playing professionally for Rhode Island FC, highlighting the cultural differences and challenges he faced. He advised student-athletes to be persistent in pursuing their goals, emphasizing the importance of good character and teamwork. The annual show recognizes more than 300 student-athletes across each of the three high school sport seasons, including awards such as athletes of the year, coach of the year, team of the year and the courage award.

Jan 14, 2025; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Providence Friars head coach Kim English signals to the team during the first half against the Creighton Bluejays at CHI Health Center Omaha.

◘Meanwhile, the local college basketball teams continued to make news. Visits from a pair of in-state rivals, two games at Mohegan Sun and a trip to San Diego highlighted the Providence men’s basketball nonconference schedule, released by the program on Tuesday. The Friars will host the University of Rhode Island and Brown at Amica Mutual Pavilion in early December to close the 11-game slate. That follows four matchups with power conference opponents, including a potential meeting with the defending national champions. Virginia Tech and Penn State will both come to Connecticut in what should feel like home games for Providence in November. Florida, TCU and Wisconsin are in the four-team field at the Rady Children’s Invitational over Thanksgiving, with the Gators fresh off a third NCAA Tournament crown in program history. Specific opponents for the Friars at that event have yet to be announced.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The top sports stories of the week ending June 21

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