Rafael Devers does not want to move off 3B for Red Sox

Rafael Devers does not want to move off 3B for Red Sox

After being near the bottom of the barrel in the AL East each of the last three seasons, the Boston Red Sox had a huge offseason. They capped it off last week by signing Alex Bregman, the best free agent available in the market, to a three-year, $120 million deal last week.

By doing so, the Red Sox added a right-handed bat and an established veteran in their locker room. Though it does add even more top-end depth to their infield, with the possibility that Bregman could overtake Rafael Devers as the starting third base.

Devers, 28, was asked about potentially moving from third base to DH on Monday, and he was very direct about having zero interest.

“I play 3rd,” he said via an interpreter. “My position is third base. Whatever it is that they want to do is what they want to do, but I feel like my position is third base.”

Rafael Devers on being asked to DH:

"No. I play 3rd… I gave them the answer that I just gave, no."#RedSox pic.twitter.com/uEZiCtarhx

— NESN (@NESN) February 17, 2025

Rafael Devers was adamant that 3B is his position. He said he would not DH or play 1B if asked. Wouldn’t rule out asking for a trade if they make Bregman the 3B, said he’s open to conversations moving forward but it sounds like he’s made up his mind.
pic.twitter.com/OJizBVToYp

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) February 17, 2025

Rafael Devers was adamant that third base is his position. When asked if he’d be open to being the DH, he gave a simple no.

🎥: @NESN pic.twitter.com/BsJYkWzbUZ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 17, 2025

Devers is, statistically, one of the worst defensive third basemen in MLB.

He finished with minus-six outs-above-average and minus-nine defensive runs saved last year. Both of those numbers rank dead last amongst qualifying 3B, according to Fangraphs. Devers has made noticeable improvements, but he oftentimes messes up the simple plays and will occasionally have an errant throw–which was a bigger issue early in his career.

Devers is the highest-paid player in the Red Sox organization, so he does deserve a say. The simplest solution is keeping him at third base and moving Alex Bregman to second base, though that would block immediate playing time for Kristian Campbell unless he played a corner outfield spot. That option would be objectively worse defensively and potentially worse offensively, too.

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There’s no guarantee that Campbell will immediately earn a starting spot come Opening Day next month. But the rising prospect is expected to compete for a middle infield spot. Ultimately, it will play itself out over a 162-game season regardless. Bregman is one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball, but is agile enough to move over to second if need be.

According to the Boston Globe, Devers was approached about the possibility on Friday; I understand an organization wouldn’t want to plant the idea in someone’s mind unless a deal was for sure going to happen (it wasn’t), but at least throwing out the suggestion wouldn’t have been the worst idea, in hindsight.

Devers was told he’d be communicated with if they wanted to sign Bregman. Instead, they spoke with him this past Friday, after the signing. This was after saying Bregman was a Gold Glove second baseman all offseason.

Devers is being difficult. I’m not defending him. You’d hope… https://t.co/fVc85fymCs pic.twitter.com/lGKWoDsnlZ

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025

This could be the biggest storyline in Boston for the remainder of spring. They should be in good shape to compete for an AL East Title regardless, but it will be interesting to follow how this shakes out.

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