After the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to complete their roster before the 2025 season, the team and fans were coasting on great vibes.
But the tone swiftly changed when Rafael Devers revealed he isn't open to moving off his usual third base for Bregman to potentially play there this coming season. Devers is no defensive savant and he's led MLB in errors at third base in five of his eight seasons in the league, but he takes pride in his successes in the infield.
Devers' refusal to move off third base shocked some fans, as he's usually rather soft-spoken. His defiance was interpreted by many as frustration, but the Sox's longtime third baseman responded to takes on his past comments and said that isn't the case.
“I’m not frustrated. I don’t have the need to be frustrated about anything with anybody," Devers said to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. "...My family is good. My kids are good. I have no reason to be frustrated about anything. I don’t listen to what’s said. I don’t pay attention to what is said. I just know what I’m capable of. I’m happy being this way.”
A week after digging in his heels, Rafael Devers opened up at his locker Tuesday:
“I really don’t know why this is becoming such a big story. We’re a team. We communicate with each other.
"The most important thing is that we win. That’s where I stand.”https://t.co/lsBuEnGggA— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 25, 2025
Devers clarified that he's still gunning for the third base job, but issued another comment similar to Bregman's response to potentially not playing at the hot corner next season. Bregman has played the vast majority of games in his nine-year career at third base, but said he would play "wherever" necessary to help the team win. Devers' latest comments echo a similar sentiment.
"I think the most important thing is for us to have a good chemistry together. Like I’ve always said since Day 1, the most important thing for me is that we win. That’s where I stand,” Devers said.
Rafael Devers minimizes past third base comments, says priority is helping Red Sox win
The 28-year-old has been slow-played to begin spring training as he rehabs from two shoulder injuries that plagued him all last season. He hasn't appeared in a spring training game and is slated to debut in the Grapefruit League around March 5. Then, Red Sox fans will have a better idea of where the battle for third base stands.
Ultimately, the Red Sox get to decide where Devers will play in 2025. If Kristian Campbell, Vaughn Grissom or David Hamilton posts a great spring training and gets the second base job on Opening Day, Devers may be fated to become Boston's designated hitter sooner than he ever intended to. It seems he may have grown more open to that possibility based on his latest comments, but we won't know for sure until the Opening Day roster is announced.
It's reassuring to hear there's no bad blood between Devers and the Red Sox or he and Bregman. The two infielders are sure to be among the team's best and most experienced players next year, and their mutual commitment to winning — hopefully, no matter where they play — may be Boston's ticket back to the playoffs after three straight misses.
