After months of tension between Rafael Devers and the Boston front office, the Red Sox shocked the baseball world by trading their franchise superstar to the San Francisco Giants. The move drew some strong reactions around the league.

The Boston Red Sox fought their way back into the postseason race, but then traded away their best hitter. They could swing a trade to land his replacement.

Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow acknowledged on a conference call Sunday night that the deal leaves a hole in the lineup, but he hoped it would pay off this season. Although there is a newly created need for a power hitter, the team now has roster and payroll flexibility to add players at the trade deadline, he said.