Maybe Rafael Devers should get into more disagreements with the Boston Red Sox front office. Somehow, it only seems to make him better.
Devers has been red hot since his explosive comments about not wanting to play first base. His words were so extreme that Red Sox principal owner John Henry, president and CEO Sam Kennedy, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City on May 9 to talk with him. The chat sent him into high gear at the plate.
Devers plated Boston's only run in their low-scoring extra-innings loss to the Royals on the night of his discussion with Henry. The night after, he went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI. He closed out the series with a massive 440-foot homer to center field — almost as if to say, "I belong at DH."
It took a while for Devers to become comfortable in the DH slot, but he's fully asserted his dominance in May. He's batting .441/.525/.588 in his last 10 games. His slash line has increased from .228/.358/.431 to .280/.395/.490 in that time.
Rafael Devers kills Red Sox first base drama with insane series at the plate in Kansas City
DEMOLISHED.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 11, 2025
DESTROYED.
OBLITERATED.
RAFFY. pic.twitter.com/3sckJgO9uv
Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported on May 10 that Devers declined to share his thoughts on his first base discussion with Henry. He doesn't need to talk when his bat is this loud.
Boston manager Alex Cora has characterized the organization's conversations with Devers about moving to first base as "ongoing." He also said Devers has a way of "[canceling] the noise" of the rumors and drama around him. This time around, it seems like his biggest motivator.
There's still plenty of time for Devers to come around to playing first base for Boston. The Sox have used Romy González, now on the injured list, Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard in the early goings without Triston Casas. Devers attested that he isn't the kind of player the team can shuffle between positions without issue, but with a few weeks to warm up, he could grow into a solid first baseman in Casas' stead.
For now, though, players have emphasized that Devers hasn't caused a commotion in the clubhouse. There's clearly no issue with the slugger's focus, either. When the background noise is loud, Devers' bat will be louder.