Rafael Devers responded with an emphatic "no" when the Boston Red Sox asked if he would take over at first base after Triston Casas' season-ending injury.
Boston has used a few internal options as replacements for Casas, Romy González, Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard. González experienced an injury scare on May 7 when he collided with the Texas Rangers' interim first baseman, and it seemingly made the Sox realize how thin their first base depth really is.
After Devers refused to return to the field, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the organization will look to the next men up. He mentioned that the team has plenty of capable players in Triple-A to fill in at first base (Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer are probably not among the options for several reasons).
The Red Sox could turn to 2023-24 offseason trade acquisition Vaughn Grissom to take over at the corner. Grissom is a shortstop by trade and moved to second base with the big league team last year, but Boston has tried to increase his versatility this season to find him a space in the lineup. He's played seven games at first base this year, a position he's never played in his professional career.
Red Sox could use Vaughn Grissom at first base after increasing his versatility in Triple-A
Grissom is off to a better start at the plate with Triple-A Worcester than he's ever had during his time with the Red Sox organization. He's batting .259/.340/.393 with nine doubles, three homers and 16 RBI in 35 games. Grissom has made two errors in his short stint at first base, but if the position is so easy that the Sox are willing to let Devers do it, they should have no problem helping Grissom find his footing there.
The Red Sox could also increase Grissom's trade value by bringing him back up to the majors. Boston's many top infield prospects will need spots on the big league team soon, and Grissom is holding a valuable roster spot in either Triple-A or on the 40-man. Or, as a best-case scenario, Grissom could become a mainstay at first base for the Sox and could continue there if Casas isn't ready by Opening Day 2026.
The Red Sox need a replacement first baseman since Toro isn't reliable at the plate and González is too valuable as a utility player. If Boston puts Grissom at first base, it could get better plate production than Toro can give, get other clubs' eyes back on him as a potential trade candidate, or turn him into its everyday first baseman with Casas out of the picture.