After the Boston Red Sox signed Rafael Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension before the 2023 season, the team expected the third baseman to become more open.
Devers is still reserved, though. He detests being called a "veteran" player or labeled "the face of the franchise" in Boston. He did not attend this winter's Fenway Fest for Red Sox fans, and the team has mentioned behind the scenes that it wishes Devers would partake in more public events, such as fan outreach.
In short, the Red Sox hope Devers will emerge as a leader in and out of their clubhouse — he's certainly paid like one. Devers may have taken a step toward fulfilling that expectation before Boston's spring training began on Feb. 12.
Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported on Feb. 7 that Devers had been in Fort Myers, Florida, working at the Red Sox's spring training facility since mid-January, a change from his spring routine from his previous eight seasons in the big leagues. Before spring training in the past, Devers would work with a private coach in Tampa Bay before making his way to Fenway South a few days before position players were scheduled to report.
The third baseman may have changed his routine because of all the smoke around his future at the hot corner. The Red Sox courted both Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado this offseason and finally inked the former to a three-year deal on Feb. 12. Debates about whether either player would take Devers' job at third base dominated the rumor mill this winter, and after the Sox signed Bregman, a move could be in the cards for Devers. However, Alex Cora, a former coach of Bregman's, said he always envisioned the infielder as a second baseman, and Boston hasn't had a consistent one since Dustin Pedroia.
Rafael Devers' changed spring training routine could signal increased leadership role in Red Sox clubhouse
Boston's front office has been vocal about wanting Devers to train at the team's facility so it can help him improve, but also because his presence there may encourage other Sox players to report to camp early. Speier reported that over two dozen Red Sox reported to Fenway South before Feb. 7, so Devers' presence may have worked as a draw for other players.
The infielder's early report and change in routine is an example of him changing to meet the leadership expectations the Red Sox have come to expect of him as the team's best and highest-paid player. Before the 2024 season, Devers spoke out about the Red Sox's refusal to improve the team through the free agent market, which is one example of leadership the front office may prefer to forget.
Devers remains the face of the franchise, whether he likes it or not. He's one of the most experienced position players in Boston's clubhouse (he and Bregman are eight and nine-year MLB veterans, respectively) and seems willing to accept more authority as a leader among the players. It's unfortunate that the Red Sox had to force his hand by not signing any reinforcements before spring training, but Devers opening up more only stands to benefit the team.