Boston Red Sox Propose First Base Position to Rafael Devers, Who Declines Offer
A Tumultuous Time for Rafael Devers: Red Sox and their Rambunctious DH
Thursday saw the Red Sox escape a sweep with a shutout win and a homer from their designated hitter (DH), Rafael Devers. However, this seemingly victorious day was overshadowed by tension between Devers and the team. It all boils down to a persistent position debate.
Devers has recently been asked to move from his usual third base spot to first base, with the team signing Alex Bregman to hold down the third base position. This role swap is controversial for Devers, as he had only started practicing as a full-time DH after being asked to give up his third base glove during spring training.
The Red Sox are grappling with a power-hitting void at first base since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury. They thought they could remedy the situation by approaching Devers about the first base switch. However, it seems that Devers isn't too thrilled with the idea of switching positions for the second time this season, expressing his reluctance during a press conference.
In his own words, Devers told reporters, "It's no good decision from my end to ask me to play another position. I've only had two months of playing DH, and now they want me to try another position. It's not appropriate." Echoing this, he added, "I'm a ballplayer, but I can't play every single position on the field."
This marks a challenging moment for Devers, who signed a whopping 10-year, $330 million contract in Jan. 2023, after the Red Sox didn't make an effort to retain Xander Bogaerts. The team was initially considering having Bregman take on the second base role, but ultimately asked Devers to focus solely on DHing, which reportedly annoyed him enough to consider requesting a trade out of Boston.
However, after some]);a closer look, it appears Devers agreed to remain with the Red Sox and continue as their DH. Despite his initial struggles, going hitless in his first 19 at-bats over Boston's first five games, Devers' hitting skills seem to be improving. Recently, he has been displaying strong numbers, with a .383 average in his last 12 games.
The key to Devers' success appears to be his adaptation to the DH role, as he has grown comfortable with the routine and has been able to focus on his swings and game observations as the opposition's pitchers take the mound. "I'm a ballplayer, but I can't play every single position on the field," Devers candidly acknowledged. "They told me to put away my glove and play only DH, so I feel like it's not appropriate to ask me to play another position now."
At the moment, the Red Sox have Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro covering the first base roles on a rotating basis. However, neither player has much experience at the position, with Gonzalez boasting a mere 32 career appearances at first, and Toro with only 18 career appearances there.
In response to Devers' reluctance, the team reportedly is seeking a long-term solution for the first base problem. Devers, in jest, seems to hint at the urgency for the Red Sox to scour the market for a new player to fill the void, since he isn't too keen on being "in between" both roles.
For now, it remains to be seen how this situation between Devers and the Red Sox unfolds, especially considering the importance of his offensive contribution in the team's hopes for a playoff spot in the final stretch. The tension doesn't seem to impact his rapport with his teammates, but only time will tell if this disagreement over positions affects his performance at the plate.
- Craig Breslow, the Red Sox pitcher, faced some unexpected challenges during a game on Thursday, as Rafael Devers, their Designated Hitter, went hitless against him, emphasizing the ongoing tension between Devers and the team.
- Despite the ruptured relationship between Devers and the Red Sox, Triston Casas' season-ending injury has left the team with a difficult decision to make at first base.
- Alex Bregman, who joined the Red Sox this season, is occupying the third base position that Devers had been playing before the rearrangement of positions, causing a slight modification in Devers' role as a hitter.
- During the press conference, Devers clarified his position stating, "I'm a ballplayer, but I can't play every single position on the field," indicating that he prefers to remain as the Red Sox's DH rather than being assigned another position.
