As the Red Sox go about the business of improving their roster, there seems to be a lot of effort being made to not upset Rafael Devers.
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox fields the ball for an out in the fifth inning during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Thursday, September 19, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Red Sox have internally discussed both Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado this offseason, but, incredibly, with the idea of playing them somewhere other than third base. Bregman, who won a Gold Glove at third in 2024 while playing for Houston, would be shifted to second. Arenado, winner of 10 (!) Gold Gloves and widely considered one of the best fielding third basemen in modern baseball history, could be stashed at first.
Apparently, the Red Sox are reluctant to make the obvious move here, which would be to move Devers from third base, where he’s proven to be a sub-par defender for years. True, Devers cut his error total last year and has put some work into improving his play at third. But that effort has only taken him so far.
The Red Sox signed Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 contract extension almost two years ago, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history. Even as new deals for Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto eclipse that contract, Devers remains one of the dozen highest-paid players in the game.
It’s understandable that Devers wishes to remain at third. It’s the only position he’s played professionally and no doubt staying there is a point of pride. But at some point, the Red Sox — and not Devers — should be calling the shots here.
It makes no sense for the Red Sox to acquire a superior defender and then allow Devers to stay at the position. And if the Sox are worried that moving Devers to DH — in the event they can find someone to take the contract of Masataka Yoshida off their hands — then that’s silly, too. The Red Sox signed Devers to a huge extension because of his bat, not because they believed he might grow into some modern-day Brooks Robinson.
The whole idea is to make the team better, including the infield defense. If that means dealing with some disappointment on the part of Devers, that can be overcome. And ignoring better options on the roster is an example of baseball malpractice.
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