Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Spring Training Gets Spicy as Rafael Devers Rejects Position Change Talk

Early problems in the Boston Red Sox camp!

Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

In a chaotic, high-profile, and drawn-out winter, one of the biggest moves in the AL East was the Boston Red Sox signing free agent Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal, including two opt-outs and annual deferrals. It marks perhaps their most significant signing since JD Martinez in Spring Training 2018. Notably, Rafael Devers remains the only holdover from Boston’s last World Series-winning team in 2018.

Bregman’s arrival was expected to help the Red Sox return to winning ways after a disappointing 2024 season, but another question loomed over the management – where will he play?

He could remain at third base, with Devers shifting across the diamond to first base or moving to DH. Another possibility is Bregman transitioning to second base, a move that also hinges on Kristian Campbell, ESPN’s No. 26 prospect breaking camp on Opening Day, whose preferred position is second base. That could, in turn, push Devers to DH.

“I made it clear what my desires were”

Very simply put, he wants nothing to do with it. The Red Sox’s incumbent $313.5 million star was adamant that he intends to stick to third base, the position he has played his entire career.

“Third base is my position. It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear what my desires were, and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”

When asked if he would move to designated hitter, Devers responded bluntly, “I gave them the answer that I just gave, no.”

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

The Red Sox had initially assured Devers that he would play third base for a “long time,” and he takes pride in his defensive work. However, it’s worth noting his shoulder issues last season, along with a -9 Defensive Runs Saved and -2.6 Defensive WAR – compared to Bregman’s defensive WAR of 8.1.

What’s next?

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

WOW

Alex Cora basically said Rafael Devers shouldn’t expect 3B just because an ex-GM (Chaim Bloom) promised it to him pic.twitter.com/vFXJPsNdKa
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) February 17, 2025

That’s Alex Cora’s stance. He remains noncommittal on positions but emphasizes a team-first approach.

As for positional experience, Devers has exclusively played third base, while Bregman has logged 107 games at shortstop and two at second base. Statistically, Bregman holds the defensive edge, but the Red Sox must tread carefully – they can’t afford to mishandle their biggest offensive asset.

Alex Bregman

Boston Red Sox

Rafael Devers

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.