Ever for the reason that Purple Sox signed Alex Bregman, there’s been an unanswered query about how he’ll match onto the roster. The membership already had Rafael Devers at third base and he appeared disinterested in transferring anyplace else when discussing the matter final month. Devers spoke with the media once more at present with a barely completely different tone, as relayed by reporters together with Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic and Sean McAdam of MassLive.
Devers revealed that he has shared some ideas with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and supervisor Álex Cora, however didn’t go into element about what he mentioned in these conversations. “We spoke already, and I’m good to do no matter they need me to do,” mentioned Devers by translator Daveson Perez. “I’m right here to assist. I’ve already spoken with them about that, they usually know the place I stand. I’m simply able to play.”
He was additionally requested how he would really feel if he have been the designated hitter on Opening Day, with Bregman at third. “Good,” he mentioned. “On the finish of the day, it’s not my choice. I don’t name the pictures round right here. So I really feel good. I’ll go on the market and do what I have to do.”
There are just a few parts making the state of affairs awkward. Bregman is clearly the higher defender, for one. For his profession, Devers has tallies of -62 Defensive Runs Saved and -29 Outs Above Common on the scorching nook. Bregman has +27 DRS and +22 OAA. Devers additionally battled soreness in each shoulders final yr and spent a lot of the winter attempting to construct power in these shoulders. He has been a bit not on time when it comes to sport motion. He nonetheless hasn’t appeared in any official spring contests, simply stay batting follow and intrasquad video games.
Devers tried to downplay the difficulty along with his shoulders at present. “I actually don’t know why there’s been such an enormous deal made about my shoulders,” Devers mentioned. “Because the first day right here at camp, I’ve been saying that my shoulders are good, and that they’re good proper now. So I don’t know why it’s been put on the market, the rumors of my shoulders being dangerous, however they’re good proper now.”
Although there are on-paper causes to place Bregman at third, Devers has understandably been lower than thrilled by the modifications. Final month, he mentioned that he was promised he may very well be a long-term third baseman when he signed his ten-year extension in January of 2023. However it was implied by Cora that the third base promise was made by earlier CBO Chaim Bloom, who was later fired and now works for the Cardinals.
It had been speculated that the Sox may transfer Bregman to second base, the place he has some restricted expertise, whereas having Devers at third. However Bregman has solely been on the scorching nook throughout spring, so transferring him to the keystone doesn’t appear to be within the short-term plans. Maybe that implies Devers might be a major designated hitter this yr, although no agency declarations to that impact have been publicly made by any workforce personnel.
If Devers is the DH on one thing like an on a regular basis foundation, that will imply Masataka Yoshida must be within the outfield combine. It’s potential that Yoshida may begin the season on the IL as a consequence of his personal shoulder harm, although he could should attempt to crack the outfield combine each time he’s wholesome.
As of now, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu undertaking because the common outfielders, although Abreu will begin the season on the IL as he recovers from a gastrointestinal virus. Rob Refsnyder may get extra enjoying time within the brief time period, or maybe non-roster invitee Trayce Thompson. Because the season goes alongside, prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell may think about, although Campbell may additionally take the second base job if Bregman isn’t in it. Guys like David Hamilton, Romy González, Nick Sogard or Vaughn Grissom may maintain the keystone in the meanwhile.
There are nonetheless many transferring items and the association on Opening Day is likely to be very completely different from the way in which the membership traces up all year long, relying on well being and efficiency. However it will likely be a state of affairs value watching, each this yr and down the highway. Bregman can choose out of his contract after every year, so he may not be in Boston in 2026. Nonetheless, Devers’ poor protection has typically led to hypothesis about him transferring to first base or DH sooner or later. If the Sox resolve to maneuver him off now, they might not need to transfer him again subsequent yr even when Bregman is gone.
For now, Devers has made his place clear to the membership’s choice makers however has additionally accepted that the state of affairs is out of his management. “I simply need to assist the workforce win,” he mentioned at present. “On the finish of the day, no matter place I’m enjoying, I at all times take this stuff as a contest and as a strategy to get higher. That’s how I see it, I’m prepared to assist the workforce win.”
