Rafael Devers comments, recent trade report explain more about Red Sox drama

Boston Red Sox media and fans haven't heard much from Rafael Devers since he expressed his reluctance to move off his usual position at third base about a month ago.

Devers is usually quiet, and for a player of the "face of the franchise" caliber, he rarely does interviews. When reporters asked him shortly after the Red Sox signing of Alex Bregman if he'd be willing to move off third base, his blunt "no" surprised many fans.

He didn't try to hide his frustration at being asked to move positions, and Red Sox management did little to make his possible transition any easier. Boston manager Alex Cora also didn't mince words and said the team doesn't have to honor previous promises made to Devers about his position, and that the best 26 players will start wherever the club needs them most. For Devers, that could be in the designated hitter slot.

Sean McAdam of MassLive reports that the front office was dishonest with Devers about its pursuits of Bregman and fellow third baseman Nolan Arenado, and that the links between them this offseason were just speculation (subscription required). Clearly, now that Bregman is donning a Red Sox uniform, that wasn't true. If Devers is correct that the front office misled him to believe the team wasn't targeting another third baseman, he was right to feel stabbed in the back earlier this spring.

Rafael Devers shares his updated thoughts on position change with Red Sox

Multiple reports have outlined Devers' feelings about a potential position change, and most conclude that he's willing to play wherever necessary to help his team win. These reports follow multiple "private conversations" the infielder had with management, of which he wouldn't share details. A source told McAdam that Devers was upset enough about the situation to consider asking for a trade, which may or may not have been part of the private conversations between him and the front office.

With just over two weeks to go before Opening Day, Devers is still a Red Sox and there's been no trade smoke around him. If Boston was taking such a possibility seriously, some potential suitors would've emerged by now... right?

The sudden change in Devers' tune could also mean he's now comfortable with the possibility of being the Sox's DH. It's hard to imagine he thought he'd be their third baseman forever, given his defensive history. McAdam postulates that his agents or even a mentor helped talk Devers through his initial feelings — he was seen at Fenway South with David Ortiz a few weeks back, and the Hall of Famer and legendary DH could be the best person to help Devers see the upside in his potential position change. Recent quotes from the slugger could reflect just that.

“At the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I don’t call the shots around here. So I feel good. I’ll go out there and do what I need to do,” Devers said (subscription required).

By all accounts, there's no bad blood at Red Sox camp. Devers and Bregman are getting along and Devers is willing to play wherever necessary to help the team win. Hopefully, Devers will be comfortable wherever he lands and Boston can put this drama behind it to prioritize winning this year.

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