Rafael Devers’ relationship with the Boston Red Sox disintegrated quickly. Multiple off-the-field issues, including two disagreements over his role as a positional player and a poorly received meeting with owner John Henry, culminated in the three-time All-Star being traded to the San Francisco Giants.

As John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group are the owners of both clubs, a conspiracy theory immediately circulated that the Red Sox were forced to trade Devers because Liverpool had landed Wirtz. On WEEI’s Greg Hill Show Monday morning, Boston’s Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow shot that idea down emphatically.

The Red Sox (38–36) have won three straight series for the first time this season, capped by a sweep of the Yankees at Fenway Park on Sunday. They head into Tuesday holding the final wild-card spot (+170 to make the playoffs, per Caesars ), but the roster still has gaps.