A lot has happened for Rafael Devers since Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry flew to an away series in Kansas City to speak with him.
Devers' explosive comments about not wanting to play first base in Triston Casas' absence sparked an immediate response from ownership and the front office. Manager Alex Cora attested that conversations about Devers potentially taking up first base are "ongoing," but recent comments from the designated hitter suggest otherwise.
On May 17, after his first career walk-off home run, reporters asked Devers for an update on his conversations with Henry about moving to first base. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, he said, "that's in the past."
Devers' bat has done more than enough to put the conversation to rest since Henry's emergency trip on May 9. He's slashing .429/.512/.771 with a 1.284 OPS, three doubles, three homers and 13 RBI in the nine games since the chat. He's raised his season slash line to .289/.404/.517 — his on-base percentage has never even approached the .400 mark, and he leads the American League with 35 walks.
Rafael Devers seems to have moved on from Red Sox first base controversy
Before his towering walk-off, Devers said he's "very comfortable" as Boston's DH. The Red Sox must have seen the same, as Kristian Campbell began taking drills at first base on May 16. It would be unwise to move Devers after the way he's been swinging lately, especially because his first position change this season resulted in a disastrous 0-for-19 start at the plate.
It's a relief to hear that Devers seems to have put the position change conversation behind him. He said he was upset enough to consider asking for a trade after the Red Sox initially asked him to move off third base, but his monster weekend at the plate and dismissive comments about the first base drama can, hopefully, put some of those suspicions to bed.
The Red Sox desperately need the offensive boost Devers has provided since his meeting with Henry, and even that hasn't been enough to reliably collect a few wins. Another position change could be risky for his torrid streak, and Boston needs Devers at his best during this tough stretch of its schedule. With Campbell taking reps at first base and Devers not dwelling on the drama, the Red Sox could be in a perfect position to move forward by starting anew at the corner while Casas heals.