Red Sox star Rafael Devers communicates his unwillingness to transition to first base position.
Boston's Devers Digs His Heels In Over Position Shuffle
Rafael Devers, the Boston Red Sox's designated hitter, is holding firm when it comes to a potential position change. In a candid meeting with press following Triston Casas' season-ending injury and subsequent surgery, Devers spoke out about the Red Sox leadership's suggestion of a role switch to first base.
"They had a chat with me about it," Devers shared after homering twice in a 5-0 victory over Texas. "I might be a ballplayer, but I ain't no jack-of-all-trades," he added with a touch of humor.
The three-time All-Star finds it unfeasible to juggle multiple positions away from his comfort zone, especially after a recent transition from third base to DH following Alex Bregman's offseason signing.
"They got me swapping positions before," Devers explained. "First, it was third base, now they're asking for first base. Let's not push our luck, you know?"
Talking to Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, a 12-season major league veteran and a key helping hand in Boston's World Series win in 2013, about the possibility of manning the first base, Devers found an ally. Breslow, currently in his second season leading the Red Sox baseball operations department, understands the complexities of changing positions.
For now, the Red Sox are defending the first base gap with a platoon starring Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro.
"I reckon Craig knows that changin' positions ain't a walk in the park," Devers said through translator Daveson Perez. "They put me in this spot. They told me to leave my glove behind and stick to DH."
With growing dissatisfaction, Devers suggested that Breslow ought to brave the market in pursuit of a dedicated first baseman rather than asking him to fill the void temporarily.
"It really surprises me that they'd consider me as the in-between," Devers expressed. "Next thing you know, they'll be askin' me to play outfield. I ain't no superhero."
When questioned about a change of heart in case the current first-base batch underperforms, Devers reaffirmed his commitment to the DH position, mentioning unease about joining the first base fray with zero previous big-league experience.
"They said I got a hard head, but they already asked me to switch positions once," Devers admitted. "This time, I'm not as flexible. I feel they broke their word. They said I'd DH, but now they're backtracking."
[AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb]
- Devers got into the game as the DH during spring training when the Red Sox decided to sign Alex Bregman and asked Devers to play third base.
- After Casas' injury, the Red Sox considered having Devers replace him at first base, a position where he had no professional experience.
- Devers feels that transitioning to first base could negatively affect his performance due to the complexity of the position and his lack of preparation.
- Devers has reportedly grown frustrated with the Red Sox management, specifically Craig Breslow, for going back on their original decision to keep him as a DH.
- Despite the Red Sox's decision to sign Alex Bregman, Devers was serving as the DH during spring training.
- Upon Triston Casas' season-ending injury, the Red Sox considered Devers to potentially replace him at first base, a position he had no prior professional experience in.
- Devers, citing the complexity of the first base position and his lack of preparation, feels that transitioning to the position may negatively impact his performance.
- Devers appears to be dissatisfied with the Red Sox management, specifically Craig Breslow, for allegedly breaking their promise to keep him as a DH.
- In the absence of a dedicated first baseman, the Red Sox are currently using a platoon consisting of Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro to fill the position.
