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MLB

Rafael Devers: Unhappy About Potential Position Switch

Dustin Judge photo
By Dustin Judge · 3 min read
Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) fields a ground ball in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Rafael Devers knew that change was in the air. He just didn’t realize the potential severity of the change. After the Red Sox signed All-Star free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, there was rampant speculation about what the move would mean for Boston’s own All-Star third baseman.

Among the rumors that circulated was that the team would install Bregman at third, moving Devers to the designated hitter (DH) Role. Reaction from Devers was swift and to the point. On Monday, he clarified that he was not interested in changing positions to accommodate the Gold Glove-winning Bregman.

The Case for Switching Devers

For all of his mastery with the bat, Devers is no wizard with the leather. He has led the American League (AL) in errors at third every season since 2018. Last season, he posted a negative -6 Outs Above Average. And in the category of Defensive Runs Saved, Devers was minus-nine last year, per FanGraphs.

By contrast, Bregman won his first Gold Glove last season. He led all AL third basemen in putouts (103) and assists (242),  double plays (23), and fielding percentage (972). And he ranked sixth overall and second in the AL in Defensive Runs Saved with a plus-six in 2024.

Rafael Makes His Case

But there is no doubt that Devers is an offensive superstar. In 2024, he hit .272 with 28 home runs and 83 RBI. His career totals are a .279 batter average, 200 homers, 630 RBI, and a slash line of .345/.511/.856. He has been named an AL All-Star three times and has won two Silver Slugger Awards.

Devers, who signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension, has said this through an interpreter about the situation.

“Third base is my position. It’s what I play. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear on what my desires were. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”

Sorting Out the Mess

Bregman, for his part, has said that he is willing to play anywhere where the Red Sox need him. His other possible landing spot would be second base, but Boston is grooming top prospect Kristian Campbell for the job after he lit up the minors last season. He will not start the season with the big club, but he is very close to a call-up.

Devers states that when he signed his contract extension in 2023, he was purportedly told by then Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, Chaim Bloom, that he would remain the team’s third baseman for the duration of the contract. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, when asked about a supposed guarantee made to Devers at his signing, said.

“Different people here. There is a different leader here. Chaim is in St. Louis now,”

Baseball is Watching

All of baseball is watching the situation closely. Boston’s dilemma is that they have two outstanding ballplayers under contract who play the same position. Logic says Bregman, the new arrival, who is better defensively than Devers, will ultimately secure the job at the “hot corner” at Fenway Park. But it remains to be seen if Devers will attempt to exact a benefit from the club in exchange for switching positions. We shall see.

 

 

 

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