The Boston Red Sox are faltering right now, and they need to get some more production from some key spots. They could do that by forcing Rafael Devers to play defense again.
Devers was made the everyday designated hitter when the team signed Alex Bregman. He struggled out of the gates, but has since been great. However, when Triston Casas went down, Devers refused to play at first base. Now, Alex Bregman is hurt, and the team is not willing to play him on defense at third base, and Devers does not seem interested in playing defense either.
The Red Sox injuries have led to Marcelo Mayer playing out of position at third base. It has also forced Kristian Campbell to stay in the lineup every day. ClutchPoints’ Owen Crisafulli suggested the Red Sox “force” Devers to play defense and solve some problems.
“Even playing him at his native third base position could allow another young stud, Marcelo Mayer, to stop playing out of position in the field,” wrote Crisafulli. “It could also allow Kristian Campbell, who has been in a month-long slump, to go back to the minors to figure things out, but as of right now, he’s needed in the field because of Devers’ stubbornness.”
Devers’ refusal to change positions started when he claimed he would not move off of third base after the team signed Bregman. Eventually, he became the DH, but once again refused to switch positions when Casas got hurt.
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Now with Bregman hurt and expected to return at some point, it’s unrealistic to envision Devers volunteering to pick up his glove and play in the hot corner. However, it would open up the DH spot for Roman Anthony or Masataka Yoshida when he returns. It would allow Mayer to play at second base and Campbell to go down to Triple-A and figure things out.
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