The most critical position battle of Boston Red Sox spring training is the one from which fans have seen the least action.
Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers were in the race to be Boston's everyday third baseman — a race that captivated fans and dominated headlines after Devers plainly refused to move off his usual position. But nearly an entire spring training later, he hasn't seen an inning at the hot corner.
Bregman hasn't played anything but third base and designated hitter in Grapefruit League games this spring and Devers has appeared just twice as a DH. On March 19, manager Alex Cora confirmed that Devers "probably" won't see any reps at third base this spring, which makes it hard to believe he'll be the starting third baseman on Opening Day.
Cora didn't confirm that Bregman will be Boston's third baseman on Opening Day, but given that he hasn't so much as touched second base in a game, the writing seems to be on the wall.
Does Alex Cora want to get Rafael Devers a game at third base before Spring Training is over?
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 19, 2025
"Probably not."
Devers' spring training debut was delayed multiple times as he recovered from double shoulder injuries that held him back all last season. He cited timing issues as the reason for his delayed debut and claimed he'd see better pitchers by facing Sox arms in backfield, simulated games rather than potentially facing minor league pitchers in Grapefruit League action.
Maybe Devers' multiple delays were the nail in his coffin at third base, or maybe the Red Sox never wanted to use him there at all with Bregman in the mix. Bregman is the superior defender, fresh off his first Gold Glove-winning season with the Astros, while Devers has led MLB in errors at third base five times in his eight-year career.
Rafael Devers 'probably' won't see any time at third base before Red Sox season opens on March 27
Devers has come around to DHing (at least, publicly) and said he'll play wherever needed to help the team win (subscription required). Many reporters and analysts expected the spring training position battle hostilities to blow over before the season started, but they likely expected Devers to get at least a start or two at third base before Boston made any decisions about where he'll play.
Cora said on multiple occasions that the Red Sox would bring their best 26 players to open the season in Texas, and it's true that their best defensive lineup does not feature Devers at third base. However, Masataka Yoshida is healthy enough to swing a bat as a DH and Kristian Campbell has been tabbed as "not ready" for his big league debut by quite a few scouts and reporters.
Still, it seems like Devers is fated to be the Sox's DH in 2025 and possibly the rest of his career. The Red Sox have five Grapefruit League games remaining before they head to Mexico for a two-game exhibition series against the Sultanes of the Mexican Pacific League, in which Devers will not participate.
Hopefully, Devers truly has come around to DHing and the hype around his position battle with Bregman can be left in the past. But Cora and the Red Sox's choice to move their franchise player off his normal position to start a rookie at the most uncertain spot in Boston's infield will still raise questions from some fans.