KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — On Thursday, Rafael Devers made his sentiments widely known. Following closely, on Friday, it was Boston Red Sox owner John Henry’s opportunity to address the frustrated slugger.
Just one day after Devers spoke with the media about his firm stance against playing first base, Henry flew into Kansas City alongside team president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Their mission? A sit-down with Devers and manager Alex Cora.
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This dialogue comes as the Red Sox find themselves in a bind at first base after Triston Casas suffered a devastating knee injury that’s sidelined him for the rest of the season. Red Sox management reached out to Devers, who transitioned from third base to designated hitter this spring, to see if he would be willing to step in at first base, but Devers respectfully declined.
Following his stellar performance in Thursday’s victory over Texas, where he hit a home run and brought in two runs, Devers articulated the situation: “They came to me and talked to me about it. I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.”
“In spring training, they told me to essentially put away my glove. I wasn’t planning on playing anywhere other than DH. Right now, I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to ask me to take on another position.”
Currently, Devers is in the second year of a whopping 10-year, $313.5 million deal. Once upon a time, he was Boston’s dependable third baseman until the organization brought in Alex Bregman during the offseason—a decision many saw as a move to bolster the defense.
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Reluctant to relinquish his position at third base, Devers ultimately felt he had little choice in the matter.
“John had a direct conversation with Raffy,” Breslow shared before Friday’s matchup against the Royals. “He felt it was important, given the situation that unfolded yesterday. The talk included an honest discussion about what we value as an organization, which means being great teammates.”
While Breslow kept the finer details of their conversation under wraps, he hinted at a productive exchange: “John had a constructive conversation, and that’s where we currently stand.”
As for the lineup, Devers served as designated hitter on Friday.
“(Where he plays) is kind of secondary to the other conversations,” remarked Breslow, who knows a thing or two about the game from his 12 years on the mound, including five with the Red Sox. “That decision was never going to be made on a couch in an office in Kansas City.”
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Cora emphasized that this dialogue is just the beginning. “Having everyone in the same place is significant—not just for those of us on the ground, but also for the players and for Raffy,” the manager stated. “So I thought it was beneficial.”
When pressed about whether Devers would begin fielding grounders at first, Cora’s response was direct.
“No, that’s not the plan right now. Our focus is on continuing these discussions,” he affirmed.
The burning question remains: Will these ongoing conversations lead to a compromise that Devers can wholeheartedly accept?
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