The Boston Red Sox continued their spring training on Monday, however, it wasn't a morning without drama.
Conducting his first interview following the Alex Bregman signing, Red Sox veteran Rafael Devers made it clear that isn't thrilled about potentially losing his starting third baseman job. Devers told reporters that he doesn't want to play anywhere but at the hot corner, leaving manager Alex Cora to do damage control in the coming weeks.
As much as some Red Sox fans would love for Devers to take some time to cool off and reflect on the situation, nothing is guaranteed. In fact, the disgruntled infielder may have forced Boston to trade him before the 2025 MLB season even begins.
Red Sox Rumors: Rafael Devers Sounds Open to Potential Trade
During Monday's interview with the media, Devers was asked if he would like to be traded by MassLive's Chris Cotillo. Even though the former World Series Champion didn't outright say he wants to be moved, his response makes it clear that he's open to a trade.
"That’s a tough answer to give. I haven’t given it much thought," Devers responded (h/t @SmittyOnMLB). "I'm open to listening to what (the Red Sox) have to say moving forward.
Does he want to be traded if they tell him Bregman is the third baseman?
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) February 17, 2025
“That’s a tough answer to give. I haven’t given it much thought. … but I’m open to listening to what they have to say moving forward”
Devers has played his entire eight-year career in Boston, making it hard to imagine him playing elsewhere. The Dominican slugger assumed he'd be the Red Sox's starting 3B for life after signing a 10-year, $331 million extension over two years ago.
Some might think Bregman's arrival means Boston is going back on its word, which is something manager Alex Cora doesn't career with.
"There's a different leader (in Boston)," Cora said (h/t @tylermilliken_). "Chaim (Bloom) is in St. Louis right now."
When asked about Rafael Devers being promised he’d stick at 3B when he signed his extension… Alex Cora made it clear that Chaim Bloom isn’t here anymore. pic.twitter.com/ap9634CFWb
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025
Cora is referring to the fact that former Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom was running the show when Devers inked his mammoth extension. The 41-year-old executive left town less than a year later, joining the St. Louis Cardinals as an advisor and will eventually be named the new president of baseball operations after the 2025 season ends.
Nevertheless, Boston CBO Craig Breslow is now left to clean up Bloom's mess. While extending Devers at the time made sense, it's going to be hard to trade a player who's signed through 2033 and has made it abundantly clear that he might not be that much of a team player in the face of competition.
Hopefully, Devers takes some time and realizes that despite how much he loves third base, transitioning into a designated hitter role would benefit the Red Sox.
He's already one of the worst starting 3Bs in terms of defense and moving him to DH would allow him to focus on what he does best — hitting. After all, he's coming off a solid 2024 season that saw him rack up 28 home runs and 83 RBIs with a .272/.354/.516 slash line in 138 appearances en route to his third career MLB All-Star nod.
Having said that, the Red Sox must be willing to pull the trigger on a trade if Devers isn't willing to accept his new reality. The franchise can't afford any unnecessary distractions this season now that the City of Boston has gone three consecutive years without playoff baseball.