Rafael Devers refusing position switch after Alex…
Fresh off the signing of star third baseman Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox might have an difficulty on the scorching nook, as Rafael Devers made it clear Monday he had no intention of giving up the position.
Devers, 28, stated he wouldn’t be the designated hitter (DH) in Boston, even when the staff requested him to maneuver to first base or develop into a DH.
“Third base is my position,’’ Devers said through an interpreter at Red Sox camp in Fort Myers, Fla. “That’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear what my desires were, and yeah, whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
Rafael Devers says third base is his nook. @tylermilliken_/X
Devers stated the dialog befell Friday with supervisor Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
The Red Sox have a logjam at third within the wake of signing Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal.
Cora indicated Friday that no choices have been made concerning the infield alignment.
“He has a lot of pride,’’ Cora said of Devers. “We know that. He feels like he’s the third baseman. He’s going to work out as the third baseman. And we’re going to make decisions accordingly. Here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora. It’s for the Boston Red Sox. Whatever decision we make is going to be for the benefit of the team.”
Devers has by no means began a sport within the professionals different than at third, whereas Bregman has began 107 within the majors at shortstop and two at second.
Alex Bregman performed third base for the Astros. AP
But Bregman is a far superior defensive third baseman than Devers.
Last yr, Devers completed -9 defensive runs saved and a -2.6 WAR on protection, in accordance with Fangraphs, whereas Bregman had six defensive runs saved and a defensive WAR of 8.1.
Potentially additional complicating issues for Boston is the actual fact high prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are on the best way and should need spots within the infield quickly.
Devers is coming into simply the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed previous to 2024 and stated Monday his defensive future was mentioned on the time.
“It was definitely discussed when I signed that I [would] play the position for a long time,’’ Devers said of his spot at third. “I don’t know what caused the change, but I know I work really hard on defense.”
Even this previous offseason, Cora and Breslow indicated Devers would stay at third, however that was earlier than they swooped in and signed Bregman final week.
And Devers added he was caught off guard by the dialog concerning the risk of switching locations with Bregman.
“I was definitely surprised,’’ Devers said. “I’m someone who believes in people’s word and take it to heart. It’s very surprising that they would suggest that.”
Rafael Devers doesn’t need to transfer. Getty Images
Asked if he was “disappointed” they got here to him with the recommendations, Devers stated, “Since the beginning, I’ve known this is a business. I don’t think that was the right way to do business.”
And he insisted he wouldn’t transfer.
“It’s my decision,’’ Devers said. “My position is third base. Whatever it is they want to do is what they want to do. But my position is third base.”
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