The Boston Red Sox have a hole at first base. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow requested Rafael Devers to play there, but he refused. However, now Kristian Campbell is trying to give it a shot.
When Devers was asked about playing first base, he went on a rant to the media about how it was not the best decision for him and that he was upset the team asked him to change positions again. His comments were not received positively in the clubhouse. On Friday, Campbell was doing first base drills, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. His response to playing first base was the exact opposite of Devers’.
“Whatever makes the team better, that’s the position I play,” Campbell told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier when asked what his favorite position was. “I’m used to second base, because that’s what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time.”
Campbell has played second base, all three outfield spots, shortstop and third base in his career, but never at first base. However, with Triston Casas out for the rest of the year, the team is weighing all potential options. It’s not a great look for Devers that he, the team’s highest-paid player, is unwilling to make a move that would help the team.
Devers moving to first base would open the DH spot up for Masataka Yoshida when he returns, and could help facilitate the call-up of Roman Anthony, the top prospect in baseball. Campbell signed an eight-year, $60 million contract this season, so his willingness to move to first base also sets an example in the clubhouse. He already has his money secured.
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Campbell’s move to first base may also help get one of the team’s top prospects called up. Marcelo Mayer is the Red Sox, No.2 prospect and is the No.8 overall prospect in baseball. Mayer is primarily a shortstop, but started at second base in his most recent game. With Trevor Story in Boston, Mayer’s best path to the big leagues is through second base.
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