Recent off the signing of star third baseman Alex Bregman, the Boston Crimson Sox might have a difficulty on the sizzling nook, as Rafael Devers made it clear Monday he had no intention of giving up the place.
Devers, 28, mentioned he wouldn’t be the designated hitter (DH) in Boston, even when the crew requested him to maneuver to first base or develop into a DH.
“Third base is my position,’’ Devers said through an interpreter at Red Sox camp in Fort Myers, Fla. “That’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear what my desires were, and yeah, whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
Devers mentioned the dialog happened Friday with supervisor Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
The Crimson Sox have a logjam at third within the wake of signing Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal.
Cora indicated Friday that no selections have been made concerning the infield alignment.
“He has a lot of pride,’’ Cora said of Devers. “We know that. He feels like he’s the third baseman. He’s going to work out as the third baseman. And we’re going to make decisions accordingly. Here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora. It’s for the Boston Red Sox. Whatever decision we make is going to be for the benefit of the team.”
Devers has by no means began a sport within the execs apart from at third, whereas Bregman has began 107 within the majors at shortstop and two at second.
However Bregman is a far superior defensive third baseman than Devers.
Final yr, Devers completed -9 defensive runs saved and a -2.6 WAR on protection, in response to Fangraphs, whereas Bregman had six defensive runs saved and a defensive WAR of 8.1.
Probably additional complicating issues for Boston is the actual fact prime prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are on the best way and might have spots within the infield quickly.
Devers is getting into simply the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed previous to 2024 and mentioned Monday his defensive future was mentioned on the time.
“It was definitely discussed when I signed that I [would] play the position for a long time,’’ Devers said of his spot at third. “I don’t know what caused the change, but I know I work really hard on defense.”
Even this previous offseason, Cora and Breslow indicated Devers would stay at third, however that was earlier than they swooped in and signed Bregman final week.
And Devers added he was caught off guard by the dialog about the potential for switching locations with Bregman.
“I was definitely surprised,’’ Devers said. “I’m someone who believes in people’s word and take it to heart. It’s very surprising that they would suggest that.”
Requested if he was “disappointed” they got here to him with the recommendations, Devers mentioned, “Since the beginning, I’ve known this is a business. I don’t think that was the right way to do business.”
And he insisted he wouldn’t transfer.
“It’s my decision,’’ Devers said. “My position is third base. Whatever it is they want to do is what they want to do. But my position is third base.”
