The Rafael Devers trade is the gift that keeps on giving for Boston Red Sox fans.
More and more information has been leaked about this whole situation, and it keeps unraveling as the days go by. After Devers told the organization that he didn't want to play first base, Alex Cora looked for other options to substitute the hole at first base after the Triston Casas injury.
Kristian Campbell was one of the players who were willing to learn the position to help the team win. As a rookie, he felt it was his responsibility to take charge and do what needed to be done. It's understandable why he would want to do it, but Devers saw it as some act of pettiness from the Red Sox organization.
Rafael Devers was not happy when Kristian Campbell volunteered to play first after he didn't pic.twitter.com/DJ5MOtUC1Q
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2025
Rafael Devers Was Reportedly Upset With Red Sox Rookie's Willingness to Play First Base
According to Joon Lee of Yahoo Sports, Devers was upset when Campbell volunteered to play first base, interpreting it as a slight to his own stature.
So far, however, Campbell has not played a single game at first base, but he IS still learning the position. Cora wants to make it as comfortable a transition as possible, given that he already can play every other position besides catcher. Given that he hasn't played a single game at first yet begs the question on how maturely Devers truly handled the situation.
To be fair, this is not about Kristian Campbell. Campbell is doing everything right in this situation. He's doing what's best for the team and is learning a position to take after a fallen player. Devers is in the spotlight here, and not in a good way.
Raffy has been questioned about his maturity throughout the season, stemming from the Bregman signing and not being informed about it. Tensions rose later in the season when Casas got injured and Breslow wanted him to play first base. Devers refused to do so and felt that Campbell trying to learn first base was a way of Cora and the organization trying to get back at him for not doing so. Somebody has to do so, whether or not Devers said yes or not.
David Ortiz also took many opportunities and offered him guidance and advice. However, Devers would never answer back and ignored all his messages. There are convincing rumors about him refusing to do PR, media, or any charity work, for that matter. Meanwhile, as the organization tried repeatedly to reconcile their differences, he would reject every attempt.
Overall, this situation shines a bad light on Devers and truly shows the immaturity towards the situation. While it would be terrible to never see Devers in a Red Sox uniform again, the Red Sox have no love lost for his dismissal.