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By Joey Copponi
Contributing Sports Writer
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For the first time in nearly half a decade, all seemed to be going well for the Boston Red Sox. A very busy offseason saw them acquire premier ace in Garret Crochet, a veteran starter in Walker Buehler, and most recently a desperately needed right-handed impact bat in Alex Bregman.
Fans and analysts alike have been impressed with the Red Sox's urgency in free agency and the trade market, ranking them among the biggest winners of the offseason across the board. However, there seems to be one very important piece of the puzzle who is less than pleased.
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"(Rafael) Devers said (Craig) Breslow and (Alex) Cora asked him about potentially moving positions Friday," Chris Cotillo of MassLive said on Twitter. "He is very adamantly against it."
Devers would go on in his media availability on Monday to be asked multiple questions about his defensive positioning.
"I play third. ... That's just my position," Devers said. After a follow-up question about how he would feel moving to designated hitter, the answer was simple: "No."
When asked if the conversation over moving to DH surprised him, Devers said, "Yes, it did surprise me a little, because I believe in a person's word, and I don't believe they kept their word when they gave me my extension."
The 28-year-old signed a 10-year $313.5 million contract in January 2023, and alluded to the idea that deal was made under the agreement that Devers would play third base for a bulk of that timeframe.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked about this alleged agreement.
"Different people here, right? There's a different leader here," Cora said. "Chaim (Bloom) is in St. Louis right now."
Many believed the Red Sox's decision to sign Alex Bregman rather than trade for Nolan Arenado would mean less shuffling of the infield defense. Surely Bregman could slot in at second base, Devers can stay at third, and all can be happy, right?
The Red Sox's decision to have this tough conversation with Devers may be more telling, though. With rumors that infield prospect Kristian Campbell could make the opening day roster, the conversation around moving Devers off third base could be in an effort to fit one of the Red Sox's top prospects into the lineup.
Regardless of reasoning, the idea of moving off his position has clearly upset Boston's franchise player. Repairing that relationship should be of top priority before opening day.
More MLB: Red Sox Ace Garrett Crochet's 'Dream' Gave Him Hope for Adding Alex Bregman
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