The Boston Red Sox are in the hunt for corner infield reinforcements after Triston Casas' season-ending injury on May 3.
Utility player Romy Gonzálex and former Astros, Mariners and A's infielder Abraham Toro have taken up the position in Casas' absence, but Boston should seek a more permanent solution as it pushes to make the postseason after three straight misses from 2022-24. Despite his recent position change, Rafael Devers' name has been thrown among the possibilities at first base.
After the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman this offseason, many reporters and analysts suggested that Devers transition to first base instead of designated hitter, which would've required Casas to move to DH or be traded. Now that he's out for the season, his lineup spot has opened for Devers' potential return to the field.
Red Sox insiders Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive discussed Boston's options to fill its corner infield vacancy in the latest "Fenway Rundown" podcast. McAdam believes the job will eventually go to Devers.
.@Sean_McAdam thinks Devers at 1B is at the end of this rainbow, in due time. https://t.co/dO2HFF6Qob pic.twitter.com/ezlsjOnBn0
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 5, 2025
"I think if you appeal to him as a teammate and stress how important it is to get production at first base, all the while potentially opening up some at-bats for Masataka Yoshida and others at DH, I just think that makes too much sense to not pursue in time," McAdam said of Devers.
Cotillo also mentioned that Devers may have a chip on his shoulder and could be inclined to play the field again to prove his defensive capabilities. Many third basemen have successfully made the transition to first base, like the Red Sox's own Kevin Youkilis and Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Red Sox insider believes Rafael Devers will eventually play first base for Boston in 2025
Cotillo reported on May 6 that Red Sox manager Alex Cora has not approached Devers about another position change and that he does not intend to do so. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow left the door to first base more open, but Boston has shown no inclination to move Devers out of the DH slot.
Moving the slugger would make sense to give Yoshida at-bats as the DH. The Red Sox's offense has been unexpectedly inconsistent in the first month of the season, and Yoshida's eye could help the team at the plate.
Since Cora has no plans to speak to Devers about another potential position change, the Red Sox may be waiting for him to approach them about filling the vacancy at first base. Devers may be unwilling to do so, though, since he's declined multiple interviews with Red Sox reporters since Casas' injury.
Still, McAdam is convinced that Devers will eventually take up first base for Boston. He described the possibility of the move as the best-case scenario for the team, since it would allow Yoshida back into the lineup and make the DH slot more flexible to use the Sox's best lineup each day.