The Boston Red Sox need a first baseman after Triston Casas’ injury, but three-time All-Star Rafael Devers continues to reject the possibility of a position change to first base.
Devers displayed his desire to remain at third base this offseason after Boston acquired Alex Bregman, but ultimately was moved off the hot corner to be the team’s designated hitter. With Casas out for the season, Devers’ continued refusal to change positions appears to be causing a rift between him and the organization.
If Devers’ relationship with the Red Sox organization deteriorates with his refusal to change positions, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale believes a next step could be Devers formally requesting a trade.
“While MLB executives believe Boston Red Sox GM Craig Breslow has done a rotten job in his communication with Rafael Devers trying to persuade him to move to first base (after already moving him from third base to DH), Devers doesn’t look great for his unwillingness to do so,” Nightengale wrote.
“Aaron Judge moved to center field for Juan Soto. Bryce Harper moved to first base. MVPs Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera switched positions, as did Hall of Famer Chipper Jones and future Hall of Famer Jose Altuve, just to name a few. The next step could be Devers formally requesting a trade, which likely would not be strongly considered until the offseason.”
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Devers has played a major role for the Red Sox for years, being the longest tenured current player on the team and being a part of the Red Sox’s last World Series win. Devers has seven home runs and 31 RBIs this season and is on a ten-year, $313 million deal, according to Spotrac. It would be surprising to see Devers request a trade, but it could be one way for the 28-year-old to play third base again.
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