What is going on with Rafael Devers? Jonathan Papelbon provided his take on Sunday, following the Boston Red Sox’s loss in the final game of their four-game series against the Texas Rangers. During Extra Innings Live, the postgame show on NESN, Papelbon shared his thoughts on the struggling slugger with co-hosts Tom Caron and Jim Rice.
“Maybe he’s out of shape,” Papelbon suggested. “Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat, Jim. You know what happens when you trim fat?”
“Well, we know they’re not in hitting shape, right? Because they’re not hitting. OK,” Rice responded. “We’re talking about trimming fat. What happens?”
“Pigs squeal,” Papelbon replied. “I’m just saying, you trim fat, pigs squeal. That’s what you’re looking for, your pigs to squeal. And hit home runs. But is it the shoulders? Is he in shape? We don’t know these things. But to me, it looks like the swing is just a little bit behind.”
“Maybe [Rafael Devers] is out of shape… Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat… Know what happens when you trim fat? Pigs squeal… You trim fat, pigs squeal. That’s what you’re looking for- your pigs to squeal. They hit home runs.” – Jonathan Papelbon
(h/t: @gfstarr1) pic.twitter.com/iJy2mtRX2K
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 30, 2025
Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald later remarked on X that “Apparently, ‘Pigs squeal’ is Pap’s way of saying the bats will make noise,” highlighting Papelbon’s unique terminology.
Apparently “Pigs squeal” is Pap’s way of saying the bats will make noise.
And people thought Eckersley had some creative terminology!
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) March 30, 2025
Caron also pointed out that Devers started playing in spring training late, making it reasonable to assume he might not be in top shape yet. In Sunday’s 3-2 loss, Devers went 0-for-4, bringing his season record to 0-for-16, including two strikeouts, which brings his total to 12. Thus, while Papelbon’s overall takeaway about Devers isn’t incorrect, the way he expressed it was certainly distinctive.
