When Rafael Devers signed an 11-year extension with the Red Sox in 2023, he believed it had come to realize that he would become the team's third baseman in the long run.
Just two years after that contract, the Red Sox now have a better defensive three-base hand on the newly signed Alex Bregman roster.
And the front office that signed Devers now has an extension. We have a new leader in CraigBreslow.
It created a troublesome situation that swallowed the Red Sox Camp.
“Are you different here, right?” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday about celebrating its previous commitment. “We have another leader here. Chime (Bloom) is in St. Louis now.”
Cora's answer revealed that Devers had no plans to leave the 3 base, thus highlighting the harsh reality that Boston has to deal with.
Devers reiterated on Monday that he would not be able to serve as the designated batter for the team or play one base. He believes 3 base is his position.
“They asked me how I felt about DH,” Devers said through the translator. “And I gave them the answer I just gave, no.”
Cora and Breslow met with Devers last Friday to discuss possible changes in position as they could move some of their works alongside town Bregman in a three-year $120 million deal. did.
Boston was able to theoretically move Bregman to 3 bases, using Devers as the designated batter, or sometimes filling out one base, allowing top prospect Christian Campbell to 2 bases.
The Red Sox can also continue to use devers on 3 bases and put Bregman on 2 bases.
Devers saved last season's minus 9 defensive run on 3 bases compared to Bregman's plus 6 mark, which won his first gold gloves.
The incumbent tribaser said he doesn't think much about the possibility of him seeking trade, but it's clear that he's not happy if he needs to switch positions.
Bregman said he wanted to play in a place that helps his team win.
“I don't know what caused the change, but I know I've worked so hard on defense over the years,” Devers said through the translator. “I feel like I had a really good year last year. I still have a lot to do with myself, but I feel like last year was really good and I want to continue doing that.”
He added: “I believe in people's words and I keep that in mind.
Kora said it was too early to declare who will line up when the Red Sox pave the way with the Rangers on March 27, but he emphasized flexibility.
“Here we will have decisions about building the roster and what we will do in the future, and we want to make sure we have the best team possible there. “We'll do that,” Cora said. “There's a lot of pride in (devers). We know that he feels he's the third baseman. He works as the third baseman and makes decisions accordingly. I'm going to. And there, it's not about Bregman, Diver, or Cola, but about the Red Sox. Whatever we give, it's for the benefit of the team.”
