The Boston Red Sox may have opened a can of worms by signing Alex Bregman. Bregman’s arrival in Boston posts a host of lineup questions.
Most rumors assumed that star third baseman Rafael Devers would shift to first base or designated hitter, making Bregman the starter at third. But during a spring training press conference on Feb. 17, Devers declared his reluctance to move to another infield position.
“Third base is my position. It’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 whatever happens from here I don’t know… I know that that’s the position I get ready to play every day," Devers said.
When asked how he’d feel if the Sox asked him to move to DH, he promptly answered, “No.”
LIVE: Raffy speaks with the media. https://t.co/T6uR0VPoYg
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 17, 2025
Devers’ comments follow manager Alex Cora’s press conference two days ago. Although former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom initially promised Devers a few years at third base after he signed his 10-year extension, Cora made it clear that not all promises can be upheld.
“There’s a different leader here. Chaim is in St Louis now,” the skipper said when asked if there’s a strain between Devers and the Sox organization amidst the roster moves.
Rafael Devers reluctant to move off third base after Red Sox sign Alex Bregman
Understandably, Devers feels like the rug was pulled out from beneath him. He’s one of Boston’s clubhouse leaders and he’s been part of the organization since 2016 when he was drafted out of high school at age 16. But the Sox have every reason to move him.
Defensively, Bregman wins the third base position battle. Bregman is coming off his best defensive year, where he led AL third basemen in fielding percentage, double plays turned, putouts, assists, and range factor per game, and won a Gold Glove Award in Houston. Devers, on the other hand, has committed the most errors at third base in the AL for the last seven years. While their hitting may be up for discussion, Bregman is the clear-cut winner defensively, and Devers shouldn't bother arguing.
Had the Sox known the commotion Devers’ position change is causing, Bregman might not be with them today. While Boston is very fortunate that Bregman is able and willing to play at second base, there aren’t any guarantees that things won’t be shaken up later in the season. It's Craig Breslow's responsibility to anticipate these problems and get ahead before trouble begins.
And Devers’ job is to do what it takes to help the Sox win. If that means moving to first base or DH, so be it. As a leader, Devers must set an example for young players and demonstrate that the team’s success comes before personal preference.
If Devers wants to win a World Series, that needs to come before his own ego.