Since the Red Sox signed Alex BregmanThe question about how he will adapt to the lineup is not yet resolved. The club already has Rafael Devers At third base, he seems to be uninterested anywhere else when he discussed the matter last month. Devers again spoke with the media in a slightly different tone today, including athletic Jen McCaffrey and Masslive’s Sean McAdam.
Devers revealed that he has shared some ideas with the chief baseball officer Craig Breslow With the manager ÁlexCorabut did not elaborate on what he said in those conversations. “We’ve spoken and I’m happy to do whatever they want,” Devers said through the translator Daveson Perez. “I’m here to help you. I’ve talked to them and they know where I stand. I’m ready to play.”
He was also asked if he was the designated hitter on the opening day, and Bregman ranked third. “Very good,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I’m not calling here. So I feel good. I’ll go there to do what I need to do.”
There are some elements that embarrass the situation. Bregman is obviously a better defender. Devers have scored -62 defensively in his career, scoring above average from popular angles. Bregman has +27 DRS and +22 OAA. Last year, Devers also fought soreness on both shoulders and spent most of the winter trying to build strength on those shoulders. As far as game action is concerned, he is behind the plan. He still didn’t play any formal spring games, just live hitting practices and internal games.
Devers tried to downplay the issue with his shoulders today. “I really don’t know why there’s a lot to do with my shoulders,” Devers said. “Since my first day at the camp, I’ve been saying that my shoulders are good and now it’s good. So I don’t know why it’s put there, rumors of my shoulders are bad, but now it’s good.”
Despite the reasons on paper to put Bregman in third place, it is understandably less exciting about these changes. Last month, he said he was promised to be a long-term third baseman when he signed a ten-year extension in January 2023.
It is presumably Sox could move Bregman to second base where he has limited experience, while at third base it is Devers. But Bregman has been in a hot corner only in the spring, so taking him to the cornerstone doesn’t seem to be going into the short-term plan. Perhaps this suggests that Devers will be the main designated hitter this year, although no statement of any effect was made public by any team.
If Devers is DH on a daily basis, that means Yoshida Masataka Must be in a wild combination. Yoshida may start the season at Illinois State due to his own shoulder injury, although he may have to try to crack the outfield in his health.
so far, Jarren Duran,,,,, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu As a regular outfielder program, although Abreu will recover from the gastroenterology virus to start the season at Illinois State. Rob Refsnyder More playing time may be gained in the short term, or Trayce Thompson. As the season develops, the prospects Roman Anthony and Christian Campbell Campbell could also do a second basic job if Bregman doesn’t participate. Guys like it David Hamilton,,,,, Romy González,,,,, Nick Sogard or Vaughn Grissom The cornerstone can be maintained for the time being.
There are still many moving pieces, and opening day arrangements may be very different from how clubs line up year-round, depending on health and performance. But it will be a situation worth seeing, whether this year or on the road. Bregman has the option to exit the contract every year, so he may not be in Boston in 2026. However, Devers’ poor defense often leads to speculation that he moved to first base or DH at some point. If Sox decides to move him away now, even if Bregman is gone, they may not want to move him back.
At present, Devers has made clear his position to the club’s decision makers, but has accepted that this situation is beyond control. “I just want to help the team win,” he said today. “At the end of the day, no matter where I am playing, I always compete with these things and it’s a way to get better. That’s what I see, I’m ready to help the team win.”
