Rafael Devers is fed up with what he feels is constant mismanagement. The Boston Red Sox star made it clear in a recent interview that he’s had enough of being pulled in different directions. The latest move that left him frustrated? General manager Craig Breslow’s suggestion that Devers switch to first base after an injury sidelined Triston Casas. This comes just months after Devers was asked to embrace the designated hitter role, a position shift that followed the acquisition of Alex Bregman on a hefty three-year, $120 million deal.
Bregman’s addition brought a defensive upgrade and a perfect bat to complement the Fenway Park dimensions, with Bregman playing like an MVP. Meanwhile, Devers, who initially struggled at the plate, has found his groove with a .933 OPS and 24 RBIs in his last 34 games. The transition has clearly worked well for the team, but Devers has had to swallow his pride to make it happen. At just 28 years old, the third baseman agreed to take on the DH role despite his preference to play the field. However, when asked to step into first base, he was less than thrilled.
“I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there,” Devers explained to the press via a team interpreter. “In spring training, they told me to put my glove away. They said I wouldn’t be playing any position but DH. So now, I just feel like it’s not appropriate for them to ask me to switch again.”
This isn’t the first time Devers has had a public disagreement with the management. Back in spring training, he faced off with both Breslow and manager Alex Cora, who were united in trying to move Devers away from third base. Cora even made a point of mentioning that Devers’ massive $313.5 million contract extension was signed under a previous front office regime. But this time, Devers seemed to be directing his frustrations squarely at Breslow, the general manager who knows all too well about the challenges of changing positions—he won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2013 as a pitcher.
“I spoke with the GM,” Devers said. “I don’t know what his deal is with me. He played ball, so I would hope he understands that switching positions isn’t simple. It’s not just about picking up a glove and playing somewher
While Devers’ words might seem a little self-centered, his point is valid. He was thrust into a position he didn’t ask for, and the Red Sox had spoken about him as a full-time DH just weeks ago. Manager Cora had indicated in a radio interview that the switch to DH was permanent. “Every DH used to be a position player until they were DHs,” Cora explained. “J.D. Martinez made the same transition in 2018. He was an outfielder who became a DH, and look at the success he had. So, we expect Devers to follow that same path. He’s ready to hit in the second spot against lefties and righties.”
But Devers isn’t the one responsible for roster decisions. The Red Sox were the ones who constructed the team, and now it’s their job to make the necessary adjustments. Last season, the team brought in Dominic Smith to fill in for Casas at first base, but Smith is now playing in the Yankees’ minor league system. With the team’s lack of depth at the position, Devers’ stance remains clear: he’s not the one who should be picking up the slack.
“They should go out and find a player to fill in,” Devers said, his frustration evident. “It’s not my job to fix their roster issues. I’m just here to play ball.”
Devers’ sentiment echoes the feeling of many athletes who find themselves at odds with management. In the case of the Red Sox, his reluctance to switch positions speaks to a broader issue of team-building, roster depth, and, ultimately, communication between management and the players. Devers, for his part, seems to believe that if the team wants a solution, they should look to the market, not ask him to juggle roles he’s not comfortable with.
As the season continues, Devers’ future with the team could hinge on more than just his performance at the plate. How the Red Sox respond to these internal rifts will determine the next chapter in both Devers’ career and the team’s pursuit of a championship. But one thing’s for sure: Devers isn’t ready to be moved around like a pawn on the chessboard. He knows his worth, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind about what he believes is best for his game and his future with the Red Sox.
