Controversy in Boston as Rafael Devers Makes Bold Statement

The Boston Red Sox made a big splash last week when they signed the last notable free agent, third baseman Alex Bregman, to a 3-year, $120 million contract. We're assuming that nobody consulted their incumbent third baseman Rafael Devers.

Devers reported to camp on Monday, and when asked if he would move off third to DH to make room for the Gold Glover Bregman, his response was curt: "No." Even if the Red Sox insisted? "No."

Rafael Devers made it very clear he wants to be the third baseman. Wow.

Asked about the idea of moving to DH… he said no. pic.twitter.com/JmfEIlD10O
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025

“Third base is my position.” Devers insisted.

And when manager Alex Cora and Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow talked with Devers to discuss a potential position switch, the three-time All-Star told them, “I’m a third baseman.”

Sounds like the Red Sox have their own version of Marcus Stroman on their hands. The New York Yankees pitcher reiterated over and over (and over) again upon reporting to camp last week that he was a starting pitcher, and would not pitch out of the bulllpen.

Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension in January 2023 and he says now that at that time they promised him he'd be their third baseman for a long time into the future.

“I’m somebody that believes in people’s word,” Devers said, per MassLive. “I take it to heart. And it was very surprising they’d suggest that.”

Cora says he wasn't surprised about Devers' comments, as he knows the kind of pride the eight-year veteran, and the Red Sox best hitter, has.

"I knew he was going to say that," said Cora after Devers made his comments to the media. He said he will continue to have conversations with Devers.

“I think here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora," said the manager. "It’s about the Red Sox. Whatever decision we make is for the benefit of the team.”

Let's just leave this here, though: Devers finished the 2024 season with minus-9 Defensive Runs Saved at 3B, and a -2.6 WAR on defense, according to Fangraphs. Bregman, who won his first Gold Glove at third, had 6 Defensive Runs Saved and a defensive WAR of 8.1.