The Red Sox made a big free agent splash by signing Alex Bregman, but it seems to have led to some unintended consequences. Rafael Devers has clearly not been enthused by the addition and Sean McAdam of MassLive reports that Devers even considered asking for a trade.
Whether he actually asked for a trade or not isn’t known. He spoke to the media yesterday, saying that he had some private conversations with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Álex Cora, but without going into detail about how those conversations went.
He struck a conciliatory tone yesterday, saying that he will play wherever the team tells him to play, but he previously made it clear that he would prefer to stay at third base. When discussing the situation a month ago, he insisted that he was a third baseman and intended to stay a third baseman.
When he signed a mega extension in January of 2023, Devers was promised he could be the club’s long-term third baseman. However, that promise was made under CBO Chaim Bloom, who is no longer with the club. The latest drama suggests the Breslow regime isn’t so committed to keeping that promise. Per McAdam’s report today, Devers was assured throughout this offseason that the speculation surrounding Boston’s interest in Bregman and Nolan Arenado were just speculative.
Once Bregman signed, some believed that he would take over second base, with Devers staying at third. But more recently, Bregman has continued to line up at the hot corner during spring contests, making it seem as though a move to second base isn’t an immediate concern. Devers has been slow-playing his spring ramp up. He had some soreness in both shoulders last year and spent the winter trying to strengthen both of them. He came into camp a bit behind everyone else and has been taking part in some live BP and intrasquad games, but no official action yet.
While no public declaration has been made, it certainly seems as though the plan is for Bregman to take over third base while Devers serves as the designated hitter. It’s always been expected that Devers would be moved off the hot corner, since he’s not a good fielder. He has tallies of -62 Defensive Runs Saved and -29 Outs Above Average in his career. Moving to first base or DH at some point has been seen as inevitable, but this seems to have arrived sooner than anyone anticipated, certainly sooner than what Devers had been promised a couple of years ago.
While he shifted his public comments, it’s anyone’s guess if he has changed his private feelings on the matter. It will be a situation to watch throughout the season, as little is carved in stone. Bregman’s deal affords him opt-out chances after each year, so it’s possible he could be gone by November. Maybe Devers will be able to take his position again in 2026 but the club probably still considers him a liability there.
His deal runs through 2033, so a move to first base or DH feels like his eventually destiny, but perhaps he can carve out a few more years at third before that becomes permanent. Notably, that deal does not afford him any no-trade protection. If the relationship between Devers and the front office is damaged beyond repair, they could freely trade him wherever they want without having to worry about his preferences. As noted by McAdam, the team isn’t going to publicly say anything if they are trying to trade Devers, since that would be bad for leverage. And there’s no indication that they have any plans on making him available.
How the dominos fall over the rest of this year and into the future could have other impacts. Triston Casas projects as the club’s regular first baseman for now. Masataka Yoshida is not a great defensive outfielder, which makes him another DH candidate. With Devers now perhaps moving off third, Yoshida might have to spend more time in the outfield next to Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony. Prospect Kristian Campbell is another outfield candidate but he can also play second base. Then again, the club has Trevor Story at short with prospect Marcelo Mayer working into the middle infield mix.
Given all those moving pieces, there are have been trade rumors surrounding Casas, Yoshida and Abreu over the winter. The idea of Devers being available never seemed to be a consideration but is perhaps a bit more feasible in light of the apparent souring of relations over the past month. If a Devers trade becomes a realistic possibility at some point in the future, it could also impact Arenado’s market. The Cards weren’t able to execute an Arenado trade this offseason but would probably try again at the deadline or in future offseasons.
Woah
Devers is owed 280 mil over 10 years til age 36
Trout is owed 220 mil over 6 seasons to age 38
Who you got and why ?
For me, I’d rather run the risk with thought if Devers ends up at DH. Plus you are out of the contract quicker
Devers..trout hasnt played a full season since 2019
All day. He’s not even ready to play 3B to start the season.
But Trout is a team player. Devers is looking out for his own ego.
Thats valid about ego but id rather have a guy with and ego who plays vs someone who is literally massive chunks of every year injured…nobody ever hit a home run from the injured list…ever
letitbelowenstein
Explain why it is about his ego.
Oddibeyoungagain
If you move him off 3rd now, he will probably never get back there. His defense though not great was improving.
cdchi
Improving? He’s about to hit 30 Ina few years. Your defensive prime and athletic prime without the use of steroids is mid 20s.
He’s going to get worse at 3B and not better.
Bregman at 3rd looks very smooth. Let’s get Devers a 1st basement mitt. I just think a player who has a position is so much more valuable to a team. Let him be the primary DH and the backup 1st baseman.
What about Vlad and prospects for Devers
Vlad AND for Devers?
Is 1 year of Vlad worth moving on from a long term commitment? Also Vlad at 500 million or Devers at 280
Do you really think Toronto, or any team, would be willing to take on that contract AND promise Devers he can continue playing 3B for its duration? If it wasn’t untradeable before, that contract is positively toxic now. Between him and XB, I can understand why Mookie wanted out. Too many egos!
No one thinks he’s a 3b for the rest but a boiler years sure
Couple*
And then they lose Vlad in October. Either to the Yankees or Weight Watchers.
Lol the Red Sox would be lucky to get Spencer Torkelson for Devers.
Hell yes! I’d take Devers today for the Tigers and deal with the defense! Some fans truly don’t know how good they got it! I used to think it was just Yankee fans but now it’s moving it’s way to Beantown!
You watched Miggy be terrible for his last three years and want to run that back with Devers?
Devers and Baez on the left side of the infield? Yikes
Dtown – Sadly, that’s true …. there’s Red Sox “fans” who turn very quickly on the team’s best players from the past several years.
@bigdaddy
Devers thinks he should play 3B for the duration. If he doesn’t get his way, he’ll hold his breath until he’s blue!
I don’t think any team would or should promise 3B for the duration of his contract.
But to act like it’s not totally underhanded for Boston to say that “Oh, that doesn’t count bc Bloom was Head of Baseball Operations at the time” is super disingenuous too. SUPER.
A. = Bloom was not the top baseball decision maker, he reported to the President and CEO, Sam Kennedy, who is still there, as President and CEO.
B – Kennedy reports to John Henry and Thomas Werner, the Owner and Chairmen respectively, who are both still there.
C. – Alex Cora fills out the lineup card, and was obviously part of the loop with the agreement to keep him at 3B. He HAD to be. Alex Cora is still there.
D. – Chaim Bloom was only there for less than 9-months under this new contract. They had a year and half to have the “What Chaim Bloom promised you is no longer valid” conversation if that was indeed the reality.
E. – Chaim Bloom never promised Devers he would be the 3B of the Chaim Bloom Red Sox. It was the Boston Red Sox, who it was and is understood by everyone in the world, were the Boston Red Sox long before Chaim Bloom, and would remain the Boston Red Sox long after Chaim Bloom. He agreed as a representative of the organization, not a personal guarantee. Any agreement that would have been made did not live and die with Bloom’s employment, nor was it tied to his employment in anyway. It was, is, and always will be, fully the responsibility of the organization, the duty transferable to the future employees and officers of the organization. In this case, those are all the same people except for Bloom and Breslow. The organization doesn’t get out of any commitment, to any player, vendor, fans, FSG, media, or broadcasting partner, advertising partner, Red Sox foundation partner, ticketing partner, or any agreement, made with anyone, just because a former employee or officer no longer works there. That’s not how things work.
Personally, I’m let down with how Devers handled it, he sounded selfish, and he likely was. He didn’t put the team first. But to put this on him, while ignoring the completely BS explanation about Bloom, is just as BS as their dumb cover.
Alex Cora especially has shown how dishonorable he is, and that his word means less than nothing. What a complete scumbag. Neither he, nor the Red Sox are behaving honorably. At this point, Devers making the comments in the article, walking back his opposition, puts him far ahead of Cora, Kennedy, Henry, and Werner.
The ONLY person that can even make the claim that it wasn’t his agreement is Breslow. But Breslow does not have the authority to null and void any agreement that was backed by Henry, Kennedy, or Werner. And with Cora, it would have to be known that it was coming from Breslow specifically, and the conversation about how and why the Red Sox can or will no longer honor Cora’s agreement, as well what they’re willing to do in lieu of the agreement, would have to take place. With the person involved, not via soundbites through the media from a lying weasel manager, with the 4 other people involved staying radio silent.
I can’t see why ANY player would want anything to do with the Red Sox after this, and it has nothing to do with player egos. Their word means nothing, you can’t trust anything they say or promise you. But what I REALLY can’t get over is Cora, between the Astros and this, he’s just the slimiest piece of garbage imaginable. Willing to say or do anything at anytime, no concept of right or wrong, no loyalty to anyone but himself.
Devers just wanted what was promised to him. That was his right, and not talking to him about breaking that promise just 1-year into a 10-year agreement, was a classless move. But doubling down on not talking to him, then trying to paint him as the villain for wanting what was just promised to him, and saying the agreement was no longer valid because one person involved is no longer there, is inexcusable. It’s disgusting. It’s the lowest of the low.
And Devers said that when he was accosted, by a reporter, caught off guard. It’s hardly his fault. He shouldn’t have been in a position of having to answer that question without being prepped by the team first.
This is not a Devers fail. It’s a Red Sox fail. And the fact that a heartless organization is being let off the hook by painting their own player, who they made the promise to, as the bad guy, only makes things so much worse. That’s getting into straight evil territory. Beyond effed up.
And the fact that fans seem to be piling onto the guy who was lied to, then forced to hash it through the media, and then finally painted to be the bad guy when he was really the victim being lied to, is tragic. People really are brainwashed to be bootlickers without any ability for critical thinking left. I honestly can’t believe anyone here would think Devers is the bad guy. He needed a talking to. The Red Sox, and evidently fans, need a lesson in ethics, morals, and law.
You watched Miggy be terrible for his last three years
=========================
Comparing Miggy’s final three years to Devers is kind of insane.
Ok now your being dumb
Fever – thanks for wrapping quotes around “fans”
Big – Devers is owed $262M over 9 years.
Sounds like someone doesn’t wanna be the DH?
T.S. Eliot
Cap – He might not take well to full-time DH, nor everyone does.
Fever- you would know that better then me. I was thinking he could dh and play some lst? You think Devers could play there?
Cap – I haven’t a clue if he could play first base, because the Red Sox have never allowed him to try. But there’s been several longtime 3B who have made the transition to first base, it’s a natural progression going from one corner to the other.
If Casas performs as he can, he’s not going to be out of the lineup much …. but I suppose he could DH at times since he’s not very good defensively.
Fever, I know you’re not very impressed with how the Sox have handled Devers, particularly by not trying to slide him over to 1B in all this.
However.
Do you remember when I posted even the scouting profiles from before Devers made his debut?
One of the biggest problems they identified in him was his substandard footwork holding him back and the question of him ever being able to improve it.
I’m not sold on any player being owed a chance to try anything in the game, be it a new position or slot in the order, just because it’d be preferable to what the team’s plans are.
Footwork is important at 1B, as is being able to range out towards 2B and get the ball Nd then flip it to pitchers covering. I have a hard time picturing Devers making those plays, and wonder how many of those balls go sailing to the dugout or the stands.
GaSox – First base isn’t a factor right now, not as long as Casas is there. I suppose they could platoon Devers and Casas between 1B and DH.
I don’t quite understand what you mean by “I’m not sold on any player being owed a chance to try anything in the game, be it a new position or slot in the order, just because it’d be preferable to what the team’s plans are.”.
It’s not a matter of Devers being owed, but it *is* preferable to what the team’s plans are …. if Casas gets traded or injured.
I totally agree with you on his footwork, but his not ever getting a chance to even try the position is just as absurd as Bregman not playing an inning at 2B. The selective valuing of versatility by Cora is ridiculous, and this after a short time ago saying he believes Bregman can be a GG 2B.
But getting back to your main point, what I’m not happy about is the way management kept assuring Devers his 3B position was safe. He was absolutely disrespected, Devers has every right to act like 2004 Nomar, and I think there’s a decent chance of a similar outcome – Devers getting traded.
Time will tell. In the meantime, Devers won’t be playing in Mexico despite the fact he’s far behind in preparing for the regular season.
While the contract doesn’t give Devers no trade protection, he’s at 7.070 for service time.
2 and a half seasons and he’s got 10 & 5 rights… so, if they want to do something, they’ve got a safe 2 years to figure it out at any rate.
Harder to move once you suck 2 more years of Devers prime from the contract. Has to be sooner rather than later if you want to trade him.
Jbig – Disagree.
The shorter commitment the better. He’s signed thru Age 36, not Age 42.
GASox – Great point, he could pull an Arenado/Houston.
BTW – Sale’s return tomorrow… cannot wait!
Well hey if Devers wants out…
And he reportedly put Chili on his French Fries in the clubhouse after yesterday’s game. More BS opinions from the Media without facts.
…..and the RS considered asking him to lose weight and play better 3B…..
The RS considered asking whyhazee to become a fan of a different team.
I’m a fan of 28 other teams!!!!!!!!!!
Why – Agreed, would love to see NYY go 0-162. Lol
hayzee – You aren’t a fan of the A-Team?
I am a fan of whoever is playing the Spankmees.
He does look a little more in shape this year.
Lucky – He reported to camp a month early, mid-January. He wants to be 100% physically.
240
dom – He had 10 pounds of chewing gum and seeds in his extra-large pants when he went on the scale.
“Devers Reportedly Considered Asking For Trade”…
…and realized no other team would play him at 3rd either.
The Tigers would like a word…
My thoughts exactly!
So would the M’s
Amen to that Chet!
No, they wouldnt.
There are at least 20 other teams that would happily play Devers at 3B. Devers was more valuable than every other 3B in baseball besides Ramirez. Westburg, and Chapman last year. Including Bregman. And that’s only if you agree with the assessment of Chapman’s defense, as obviously his .247/.328/.463 line was a far cry from the .272/.354/.516 line that Devers put up.
Devers is projected to be more valuable than every 3B in baseball this year besides Ramirez, Westburg, Riley, and Machado. The only other guys who are close are Jazz and Bregman, and the only young guys who project to be 75% as valuable as Devers with upside to be as valuable as Devers are Caminero and Vientos, and I’d argue that Vientos doesn’t have that upside. I”d also argue that Royce Lewis does, and maybe even Jung, but the projection systems don’t agree.
These comments about Devers are getting really stupid. He’s a star, bad defense and all. Some teams like the Nationals or Brewers don’t even know who they’ll have playing 3B yet, but to act like MOST teams wouldn’t jump on Devers and take him as 3b today is just dumb. I don’t know why people are hating on Devers so much.
A’s would
A’s would not. They wouldn’t pay Juan Soto 28 mil a year.
No one was talking about money, Darth. “Letsgo” was talking about playing time.
You know the A’s wouldn’t get him for free, right?
Cubs?
That makes a lot of sense because they have a need at 3B at the moment, and they are honestly a bat away from being the favorites in the NLC. The question is do they line up with BOS in such a deal? Who goes the other way?
because they have a need at 3B at the moment,
========================
I reckon there is at least a 30% chance that Shaw goes north with the team.
Shaw is in Japan with the team now.
I reckon there is at least a 100% chance that Shaw goes west?
Pass. Cubs have a DH already.
This is fake news
This is a rumor, which, if you don’t like, you probably shouldn’t be on a site that has “rumors” in the site name.
Its a rumor that he “considered” asking for a trade..which he apparently shared with …nobody…so yea sure rumor has it i considered taking a crap earlier but kept that to myself as well…the only difference between these two rumors is one is clickbait the other isnt
Do you not know what a rumor is?
The Yankees wouldn’t mind, I’m sure. Though RS would never do it, if the they ate a good portion of salary, Crashman would do it.
The Yankees would do it…….
Only because they play people out of position all the time! Haha
Pretty sure the Cubs would play him at 3B, Swanson at SS can make up for some of his lack of coverage for the next few years. But by age 30 Devers is a DH.
No. The Cubs were not competitive enough for a 3B that could field the position at a quality standard. They are not going to over pay and give up prospects on a worse defender.
Devera needs to put his boy pants on and be a great hitter vs a cr***y teammate.
Cubs are not going to over pay but could give up some prospects for a paid down contract.
Hoerner
Tucker
Suzuki
Devers
Happ
Swanson
Busch
Amaya
PCA
That’s a freaking scary line up with enough defense to deal with Devers at third. I’d have the Dodgers and Braves offense ahead of them but I can’t think of anyone else.
Might look ok the first year, but his defense won’t get better, and he will pout if he doesn’t get his way in the future. WAAAAH!
Angels
This story apparently that never ends!
It’s been going on for a while, but it also doesn’t help that the Red Sox front office and Cora didn’t prepare for these questions since Bregman was clearly an option this whole offseason. More fodder for the media!
Acoss – Part of what makes arrogant people arrogant is their lack of empathy.
They didn’t give a damn about upsetting Devers.
Fever,
Of course not, the media got it’s sound bite to rile up the fans, and get the clicks. I’m guilty of it, I clicked on and commented on the articles on here.
Cardinals. Devers for Arenado straight up.
Just kidding but Cardinals could and should make an attempt to get him.
Why? They literally JUST brought in a Defensive upgrade at that position. That’s why their in this mess. Arenado going there now makes less sense than before Bregman. Even with prospects coming back it’s a ludicrous situation to put the team in for a player deep on his back nine.
They can call and boston would say no
Devers for Rendon
Only if you throw in a broken Trout.
Do we need so much minutae about the players or is it about reporters/ bloggers justifying their jobs?
Come to a trade rumors site and then complain about trade rumors. Genius. Grade A work. No notes.
You can’t make this stuff up.
He just did!
If you bothered to read, it’s not a trade rumor, it’s the constant delivery of minutae. Look it up.
It seems to me the damage is done, the relationship between front office and Devers likely is not retrievable.
Devers signed up for a monogamous long term marriage of team, player and position and Boston opened it up, found a side piece and focused on that side piece real quick.
That said- it seems like from the moment he came up to the Big Leagues, Devers has been discussed as a player to eventually move to first base and then to become a DH, due to his lack of on field athleticism/defensive capabilities.
I also get that a regime change just a couple years after the deal got signed can mean that what was the future vision for the team no longer fits the current future vision for the team- and post-Bloom Boston might not want to be in the Devers business like they used to be- and clearly Cora decided he’d rather have Bregman at the hot corner than Devers and clearly Cora is gonna be deferential to Bregman over Devers, so…. yeah. Maybe the Oakland A’s of Sacramento of Las Vegas would take on the rest of Devers deal to show the league they’re ultra serious about being in compliance?
“The damage is done..is not retrievable”…Trades, DFAs, playing time reductions and position changes are just another part of the business side of baseball.
Players will adapt and If Raffy was as fragile and delicate as you seem to think, it’s likely he’d have never made it this far in sports and even put himself in position to earn a $300M+ contract.
Raffy is not some first year rube who doesn’t understand the business side of baseball. He’s been around the block more than a few times and will most likely quickly put this position change in his rear view mirror.
I’ve been saying as have others since Bregman signed, he’s the third baseman barring injuries. Raffy is getting to help the team win and regardless of past discussions has no choice here. No one is picking up that contract and giving Boston value back. Similarly, Boston is not giving him away. Thus, he finally realized he has no choice in the matter.
It’s just sad that he couldn’t figure that out before running his loud mouth intentionally in front of the media.
Look- at the end of the day, his contract is guaranteed, he has some offensive value, the Red Sox want to get what value they can out of him, he is going to hit plenty of home runs, produce plenty of RBI’s, be a valuable player for them, etc.
And yes he is a professional and whatever role they have for him, he’ll have to do that, regardless of whether its his preference or not.
I just think there are plenty of instances where it gets awkward enough between player and ownership/front office that it makes sense for everybody to part ways and this could be one of them, if not for how expensive his deal is.
When he was signed to that deal I thought it was a massive overpay in every sense, but here we are.
I just think its gotta make a player wonder why they should bother trying at all when they’re replaced at their primary position a year into a decade long, top dollar contract that was given to them by the team
Bregman’s signing is an absolute vote of No Confidence. This isn’t like with Jeter and A-Rod with short and third- they were both good defenders who could handle either position and Jeter was entrenched at short and A-Rod was a generational talent at a level that neither Bregman nor Devers is, so this isn’t like “we had an opportunity to go get this generational talent in his prime and we are going to make it work with our internal generational talent in his prime who represents positional redundancy” this is “we signed a player to a long term contract, changed our mind, got stuck with him, signed another guy to a massive contract to replace him ASAP, but we are still stuck with that first player and their deal.”
Trillionaire – I think the team just landed in an unexpected situation with Bregman actually hitting FA. Matt Chapman was a FA recently and there was nothing connecting him and the Sox. It’s the perfect storm with Cora and Bregman.
At the end of the day, the Sox and him had an agreement and he signed a deal. Sox broke that agreement, doesn’t matter that Bloom was in charge. Cora and FSG are still here. They all could have chosen to make a different agreement.
They could have communicated with him, and it sounds like they didn’t. Situation could have been easily avoided.
If he was a professional, he wouldn’t have run his mouth when he first was asked if he would move to DH. He would have just said that he would do what was in the best interest of the team, but his preference was to play 3B. In that one press conference he proved that he was the antithesis of a professional.
He ran his mouth. He said straight up that he would refuse to play at DH. That you don’t get that, says all that we need to know about the worth of your opinion.
You never talk about baseball on this site, NEVER. All you do is find reasons to insult people. Your life must be really pathetic. I truly feel sorry for you.
So your version of “talking baseball” is trash talking players who answered a question honestly and then proceeded to reflect on the situation and changed his stance for the better? If that’s “talking baseball” to you, I want no part of that. Good bye
Trill – Great post! I like your analogy.
Yeah it’s a common progression, 3B to 1B and then maybe DH.
Trillion – Damage done??? Devers is stupid if he thinks he would be a 3B his while career! He was always going to end up a very, very, very well paid DH. He needs to get over it!
Devers’ recent comments indicate he has moved on and is willing to do what is needed to help the team win. It sounds like he is in a good frame of mind.
4ws- this issue, because it sounds like you don’t know, is that he signed his extension after the Red Sox said he would be the long term 3B.
Now I don’t know about you, but long term doesn’t mean 1 year into a 10 year extension.
If the Sox don’t make that agreement, then Devers hits free agency and it’s a different situation. Now maybe he doesn’t have a many suitors as he would expect that allows him to play 3B, but there’s a high chance there’s a bidding war which drives up his salary.
Joemo – I went to work for an employer who changed the geography territory I was to work in after my first week (their intention all along). They $hit on me, so I went and got a different employer.
If Devers thought he could get a better deal, he should have, but I highly doubt ANY team sees him as a LONG TERM 3B. Boo hoo grow up.
That said I am highly certain the CRAPPY Boston media blew the whole thing up more than how Devers actually felt even if they got some early quotes on video. Once Cora and his agent explained the situation, it seems he has realized the situation. Maybe we will see Devers inducted into the HOF 18 years from now as a DH….. Ortiz JR.
No one is taking that contract unless Boston pays 75%
With the going rate of high end players I teams would consider taking on that contract. In a world where Vlad Jr is asking for more than 500 mill.
Vlad can ask, just like Alonso did. He will also learn 1B isn’t where teams spend their budget, just like Alonso.
stymee —- Harper, Freeman, Goldie, Olson ……
He isn’t even overpaid. Your crazy if you think Devers is only worth 7 million a year.
What makes you think they would trade him..this isnt the nfl or nba
Pool – The star franchise player being miserable can poison a team.
They got rid of Nomar and Manny after all.
Toronto?
Cease for a paid-down Devers!
They have a real 3B in SD so that’s not happening.
It was a Cease joke, nevermind!
A reunion with Xander? Sounds like a win-win!
Apparently you missed the Cease and Desist Order.
Will the Dylan jokes ever cease?
I like it G! To live and work in America’s finest city (not to mention hit behind Tatis and in front of Machado and Merrill) I suspect he’d happily DH.
Gwynning, I know you were being sarcastic because of all the Cease trade rumors, but if the Red Sox paid it down $240-250 million for the next 9 seasons and throw in Fitts, that would be a trade worth making. Shildt would have to play Devers full-time at DH though. He has no value in the field.
I think he could play a passable 1B. Maybe not right out the gate, but he’d be alright after a bit. Maybe 40-150 games at DH depending on how well he takes to it? Idk
Why these overpaid brats always so sensitive?
NBA is a whole different league of brats.
This story still confuses me. Why is no one acknowledging that Bregman is still the most logical fit at 2B and we are a typical Trevor Story injury plagued season away from Bregman also being the best option at short? Him being the best option at 3B is irrelevant until Campbell or Mayer get called up
We don’t even know if Devers can throw. He was bad before and may even be worse now. Can imagine fans saying that Devers would not have made a play that bregman just made.
Because it’s simply not true. Stick anyone the Red Sox have at 2nd and they are better defensively without Devers at 3b. Put your best 9 on the field if you want to win now, including defense.
This is exactly my thought and why Devers needs to relax. Injuries happen and he’ll get reps at 3B though out the season.
No team, I repeat, NO TEAM that will take on the contract will play him at 3B. I’ve heard suggestions of who would play him at 3B and none of them will take the contract. The Sox won’t eat money on the deal without 4-5 top prospects in return.
Devers wants 3B back after Bregman likely opts out this winter or next given players market values these days? He needs to improve his physical conditioning, work tirelessly at 3B in the off-season and earn it.
Can’t show up out of shape every year, stink up the hot corner and then expect its yours just because.
Fen – Sorry there’s no way I will root for an injury to Bregman, which is obviously the only way Devers would find playing time at 3B.
“…Bregman is still the most logical fit at 2B…”
I question your logic. Last season, Bregman at 6 OAA, and Devers with -6 OAA, was a delta of 12 runs. In both 2022, and 2023 the delta was 10 runs. In 2021 Bregman had a poor season defensively with 0 OAA, but the delta that year was 13.
Just about all of Devers value is with the bat. Even without Bregman, the RS would be foolish to keep Devers, and his horrendous defense, at 3B. So as long as they do have Bregman, logic says he should be the one to play 3B.
If Bregman was signed guaranteed for three years, yes, he makes sense at third. He isn’t though. Devers is a franchise player, he deserves his position.
I disagree. As I said above, even without Bregman, Devers is so bad with the glove that he shouldn’t be playing 3B. He has an awesome bat, but DH is where his bat should be.
Bregman doesn’t make sense at 2B at all. You’re paying a premium for a GG 3B on a high AAV deal. Furthermore, playing him at his preferred position increases the likelihood he will forego the opt out at least one more year to make the 2nd round pick given up for him a better investment.
You’ve got a handful of other guys available to eye towards 2B, not least of which is trying to recover value from grissom or Campbell being a possible fit as he gets experience, not to mention carryover options from last season or even sliding story back to 2B where he excelled if Mayer or anyone else steps up for thr SS role.
End of the day, hopefully bregman is the last resort option for 2B
GaSox – I agree about the premium, but can you please elaborate on “”playing him at his preferred position increases the likelihood he will forego the opt out at least one more year to make the 2nd round pick given up for him a better investment”?
Basically the higher the WAR he has this year, the better odds of him opting out. He still wants the lucrative 6-7 year contract, if he has another GG-caliber season at 3B it will help him snag that lucrative contract.
He doesn’t want to play 2B because if he struggles to learn the position or is just “mediocre” at the position, it drags down his overall value.
Fever – a lot goes into a player deciding to opt out or stay.
Happiness with his playing position is certainly one factor. I’d think bregman would enjoy his role in boston more as an everyday 3B than as a 2B wouldnt you?
I don’t think it moves the needle enough to be a determining factor on its own, obviously. But, if bregman stays for two years instead of one, that would be an improvement, wouldn’t it?
The details I read about bregman’s meetings with breslow and company make me feel this has potential to be more than a 1 year pillow deal to re-enter FA without a QO attached.
He asked a LOT about the pipeline prospects. He’s been mentoring them a GREAT deal, even wanting a locker with them for ST. As an established star veteran he’s volunteered to take a 4 hour slow bus road trip with the kids, something the big names usually don’t do. He’s worked with them a ton.
I’d like to see how he performs this season, and, maybe discuss a reworked deal that buys out the opt outs and adds a bit of extra years and money. Let’s not forget the looming 2026 cba renegotiations in December of that way with a likely lockout, yet another wrench in the wheels…
I was skeptical, given his Astros past and the Cora connection. But there has been a lot I see and hear this spring that I REALLY like when it comes to how he’s approached things. It’s almost like a JDM role of a player-coach in the olden days when you’d see coaching staff play the field at times. So far he seems like a model fit for the young kids coming up, and, nobody else on the offe side staff seems to have the experience or inclination to assume that mantle either.
Bregman is still the most logical fit at 2B
=========================
There was nothing wrong with Hamilton’s performance last year.
Maybe because Bregman is the most logical fit at 3B? Maybe because Devers would not be a good fit at 3B even if the Red Sox had not signed Bregman because Devers is so bad on defense that he detracts from his value to the team by ever playing a game at the position? Maybe because the Red Sox would be a better team if Sogard played 3B and Devers went to DH?
as i yankee fan i’d take a paid-down devers in a second. he can play third base until he retires
The Sox aren’t paying down $0.01 of the contract without multiple top prospects coming back.
You’re still talking about one of the top 5 lefty bats in the game who is a physically capable fielder, albeit not a very good one.
Red Sox eat 30% of the contract in return for Dominguez, Hess & another top 15-20 Yankees prospect would be about the best deal you’d get.
Yankees prospects hardly ever pan out. I wouldn’t even think about trading with them for many reasons.
Oh I agree. Not only that. Not sending a top 5 lefty bat in the league over to the hated rivals at any cost.
I was simply pointing out the idea people have that Devers value isn’t right about where he’s paid in the current market is a really silly one.
Red Sox, even if they ate NO money, aren’t giving him away for free. He can be as whiney as he wants.
according to grok the yankees have the most success with their prospects followed by the dodgers and the cardinals
yeah that deal would never happen just reminding sox fans to appreciate what you have in devers the yankees are going into the season with a trio of sub-replacement players “battling” for third base
Well there is your problem. Using grok or anything that Elmo created.
i would take that deal in a nanosecond
The Red Sox would just love that deal. The Yankees aren’t giving up Dominguez plus other pieces to take on 70 percent of that contract.
FF, that is one of the most hilarious comments I have read on here. If Devers was a physically capable fielder, this entire subject would be moot. The fact is that between his weight, his shoulders, and his lack of range he is not physically capable of playing in the field at any position.
Devers was 10th among LHB in 2024. In 2023 he was 14th. Over the past 3 seasons he ranks 11th among LHB.
Overweight players like Devers do not age well, even at DH. Those age 31-36 seasons on his contract are going to be brutal and 2025 is his age 28 season. Either the Red Sox are going to eat 50% of his contract to account for those years when he is almost guaranteed to be awful, or he won’t be traded. After his temper tantrum about moving off 3B, I am going with he won’t be traded.
@dasit
The Yankees would be paying 110% on top of his contract. Just not happening.
i agree the yankees wouldn’t take on that salary and the red sox would never trade him to a hated rival anyway but absent those factors i would happily trade dominguez (and jones and warren) for devers. don’t know why red sox fans act like devers is rendon or chris davis. he’s not worth 3oM/year (or whatever it is) but he’s still only 28 and he’s a beast. just ask gerrit cole
Cleveland, or the likes, seems like a logical place landing place for Yoshida. Red Sox pick up a massive chunk of that contract and Guards upgrade their platoon in Right. Wherever he goes Boston is stuck with that contract. He’s a “I’ll take a flyer” guy at this point.
I doubt Cleveland would want him even in that case.
Curious why you say that? Because he’s working back from an injury?
He’s still a good hitter albeit low power. And he makes good baseball decisions. He’s slow, and has a weak arm, but very hidable in a LF role for a team that can.
He just doesn’t fit well on the BOS roster because bloom over-acquired DH types.
GaSox – And because the Red Sox are loaded with star OF’ers ….. Abreu, Duran, Anthony and Campbell.
Yoshida just had surgery on his throwing shoulder. As of today, he has still not progressed beyond soft toss. He will likely end up on the IL to start the season with Devers at DH. Once he returns, he will still not be able to throw well, and throwing is a necessity in the OF. That same labrum surgery has lowered performance at the plate in the first year back for 100% of players that have had it. For 82% of players that have had that surgery sine 2000 it has taken until the 3rd season after the surgery to return to baseline performance.
Even when healthy, Yoshida is not a viable option in the outfield for any team. He is really bad both in terms of routes and range. He is slow as a turtle.
That he is a terrible OF on defense would be something teams could work around if he was a great hitter. Unfortunately for the Red Sox and any team that trades for him, that is not the case. In two seasons in M:LB he has been 11% above average overall and far below average, an 82 OPS+, vs LHP. He is a platoon hitter. A platoon hitter that can only play DH and that is making $18 million per season for the next 3 years.
In several chats and podcasts during this offseason on this site Yoshida’s value if he was a FA was put at $4-6 million on a 1-year deal. As you said, to trade him the Red Sox are going to eat everything above that amount left on his contract.
It would still be a good deal for the Red Sox if they ate his entire contract because it clears a roster spot. That roster spot is worth more than Yoshida’s performance over the past 2 years.
If there’s any truth to this then maybe Breslow should check in with Toronto. Devers for Vlad with the caveat Vlad signs an extension with the Sox.
Why would Vlad sign an extension in Boston? He was always going to free agency.
They don’t seem to do that anymore.
Toronto ain’t doing that.
Such a baby
Red Sox can pay me $313mill to clean Fenway toilets for the next 10 years and I’d do it. Might not be happy about it, but I wouldn’t whine or complain.
@Devlsh You’re human, presumably—of course you’d complain.
“What, they’re paying me hundreds of millions of dollars to clean toilets but they can’t provide a halfway decent scrub brush?”
Dev – If you ever hated your fulltime job, you’d realize the money ain’t worth it.
Imagine being miserable at least 40 hours a week working, that’s a huge portion of your life.
9/$284m for a 3-4 bWAR 1B/DH entering his age 28 season who the acquiring team won’t want to play at 3B….
How much money would the Red Sox have to eat?
Jack, I can tell you that besides the salary, which admittedly not every team can afford, the Yankees, Royals, Astros, Mariners, Tigers, Reds, Cubs would all play an offensive player of Devers caliber at third base 140-150 games.
Devers played without a shortstop of any range to his left, and without a real first baseman to scoop throws almost all of last year.
I disagree on two things. No way can the Royals, Reds and Tigers afford Devers’ contract. If the Tigers could afford Devers’, they probably would have signed Bregman. The Astros probably could, but have never shown a desire to spend at that level. There’s a reason why Bregman is with the Sox, and not re-signed by the Astros.
The other thing is, plenty of teams would love to have Devers. But I can guarantee they’d all want to move him off 3B, and would only play him there in an emergency. Certainly not 140-150 games.
The Cubs would be all in on Devers if he was made available. They wouldn’t trade anything overly worthwhile but happily take that contract.
Astros would NOT play Devers at 3B, and they already have a DH. Might have worked out at 1B if they didn’t sign Walker
DETROIT….SAYS COME ON DOWN !!!!……..Those smoking street side BBQ’s smoking up some great ribs and chicken.. Come to Detroit.
As a DH/1B or 3B? Devers can hit, no doubt, but his defense is not great.
If he bats in the middle of the order and hits 30 HR 100 RBI no one will care about his defense! He’d be a good add…that big bat they are missing.
I couldn’t disagree more. Baseball is about more than just hitting. Teams do care about defense. Defense is about keeping the other team from scoring runs. Last season the RS had a run differential of +4. They also had 31 one-run games. You don’t think that limiting the runs of an opponent doesn’t matter?
I 100% agree. Greene, Meadows, Rogers and McKinistry are all gold glove caliber fielders. Play Jung whose 3B defense sucks or Devers whosec3B defense sucks. Which one would you pick?
I’d play Vierling. League average guy that isn’t going to hurt the team defensively. Unexciting, but it would keep Devers away from 3B. You equate Jung and Devers as both sucking defensively, But Jung (-3 OAA), although not good, is still clearly a better fielder than Devers (-6 OAA).
Jean, that is exactly right. It is why Devers is being moved to DH now. Defense matters.
Jung has been slightly below league average at 3B. Devers has been the worst in baseball at 3B.
Vierling is out too and a better outfield option.
Fair enough on the defensive comparison but you know as well as I do that it is a balancing act for teams when choosing who plays where. Add in Devers better offensive profile and he balances out as the better option for the Tigers at 3B than Jung right now. The Tigers have too many DH options as it is and could afford to give him his wish and let him play 3B for now. Jung can play 2B next year.
It is highly doubtful Devers gets traded anyway bit he would be a fit for the Tigers at 3B.
I agree that it’s a balance between hitting and fielding. But I disagree that the Tigers would put Devers at 3B, where he’s defensive liability, in favor of the other DH options. I doubt those other DH options are that good that they would feel the necessity to use Devers in the field.
I agree, Devers isn’t being traded, and if he was, I doubt the Tigers would take on that contract. So this dialogue is purely academic, but enjoyable nonetheless.
You probably hit the nail on the head as to why the Tigers wouldn’t trade for him with his contract being so high and Harris being so frugal/fiscally responsible. Thanks for the chat dude. Cheers.
Yankees fan, so not exactly objective, but…1) If Bloom did make him a promise, I don’t see why Bloom’s promise is any less binding, unless Bloom said something like “as long as I am here…” 2) I don’t know that I’d trash the guy for relying on the Bloom promise–especially if during this off-season, he was told about Bregman it’s just kicking the tires. 3) He’s owed an enormous amount of money–if he can’t play the field adequately, Boston will have to pay down his contract to get rid of him, but, 4) Bregman could be gone after this season is done (or again, next season) so there might be movement back to the position if he waits it out.
5) once thes season starts, everyone is healthy, I think it will die down–at least for long enough to see where Bregman is likely to end up doing.
“1) If Bloom did make him a promise, I don’t see why Bloom’s promise is any less binding”
Judge Judy (and any 1st year law student) will tell you, if it isn’t written in the contract, it’s all puff and non-binding.
Written contracts are clearly preferred, but oral contracts can be binding under certain circumstances, Judge Judy and just about any lawyer will also tell you about the importance of integrity in contracts that involve continuing relationships, as well as the truthfulness of material representations that are seen as inducements.
It would take a judge about 30 seconds to throw out any action by Devers trying to enforce an “oral contract” from Bloom that he would play third base.
PK – The promise could have been made in an email or text, although granted either could have been deleted.
Yeah. That’s where I’m at. Things change. Organisations aren’t stagnating on a promise. If it was that important to him, get it in writing. No much sympathy here.
Re 1), couldn’t agree more.
One of the primary execs in your organization makes an important verbal commitment, one aimed at enticing the player to remain with the team, and soon enough the attitude is “well, he’s no longer with us, so none of that applies”? (And where the team’s implied position is, “on the other hand, if the player turned out to be a 6-7 WAR player, there’s no chance we’d let him out of the deal just because some of its parameters were verbal.”)
That’s fundamentally immoral
Not every player can stay focused enough to DH every day. Harold Reynolds said the same and added, he’d be concerned about Devers weight without time in the field.
All I can say is they better get off to a fast start, or this could be a talking point all year
Sad – You have a fantastic point. There’s a lot of movement involved in playing 3B, he would be basically sedentary if he was a fulltime DH. Yes the weight would likely increase.
I don’t think that a trade to every tream would require his contract being paid down. Detroit for instance should be willing to trade prospects for him straight up and install him, shoddy defense and all, at 3B just to get that bat in the lineup. Jung can hang out in AAA and replace Torres at 2B next year when he leaves.
Motor City Beach Bum, I’m sure the Tigers would love to have that bat in the lineup. Every team would. But if they acquired Devers, they would surely play him at DH, as most teams would.
Problem is Jace Jung may not be much better at 3B. If they pick up Devers then Jung could play 2B next year when Torres leaves. Jung won a gold glove at 2B in the minors a couple years ago.
Jung is better on defense.
As Sam Goldwyn once said: “a handshake agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on”.
No long-term promise like that is binding. If they signed a pitcher to a one-year contract, on the condition that he is a starter, then they are obligated to start him. But even that has limits.
But it is incumbent on Devers to become an acceptable glove, which he not done.
Mike, regardless of whether Bregman is with the Red Sox in 2026, the best thing for the team is moving Devers to DH. His defense is so bad that he would have had a higher WAR as a DH than as a 3B. In other words, he would have helped the team more in winning games as a DH than taking the field as a 3B. Having a 0.0 WAR player at 3B that plays good defense would improve the team’s chances of winning with Devers at DH.
“Whether he actually asked for a trade or not isn’t known. ”
journalism at its best. i dont know whats true, i dont know whats not true, i dont know anything. but i need to get readers. so i’m just gonna throw this massive story out there and hope someone picks it up so i get more clicks
I think you might be lost. This is MLB Trade Rumours. You must be looking for MLB Trade Facts. Easy mistake to make.
you’re the 1 who is lost.
i wasnt talking about this website, i was talking about the “reporter” who posted the “story”
@CB – And if you equate clickbait media with actual journalism, you probably should not even be entering into the discussion.
Unless McAdam is 100% sure that Devers requested a trade, then it is reprehensible to post that he might have, or that he considered it.
It’s like posting that “Infractor might have cheated on his wife, but we’re not sure”. This is nonsense journalism and Boston is the worst in the country with this stuff.
There is a huge difference between the media in all of its various iterations, and real journalism. You are referencing sports media, which still has a few reputable outlets but is otherwise littered with worthless clickbait.
The problem today is that most folks cannot tell the difference between the two.
Sean McAdam has a long, respected track record writing about baseball. He reported that Devers “considered” asking for a trade and had a meeting w/Red Sox brass in which it is not known whether he asked for a trade or not.
That’s reliable reporting. Many of them would have either misreported whether he asked to be traded or not, just to make the story juicier.
Sean stayed responsible.
He reported that Devers “considered” asking for a trade and had a meeting w/Red Sox brass in which it is not known whether he asked for a trade or not.
=============================
How does he know that Devers considered asking for a trade?
Boston showed Rafael Devers the fine print in his player’s contract and he then changed his tune and fell in line with the rest of the band.
Once you sign that big boy contract, not much leverage is left. Well, Arenado may be an exception…
I have no idea how accurate this Sean McAdam story is. Especially since I cannot read the article without paying.
But Devers’ diva attitude, struggling with weight again while already being paid over $300MM is so lame. For the life of me, just be a team player for your team. We can argue principles and whatever all we want, which has a bit of merit behind it all things considered.
At the end of the day, as a competitor, the objective is to win. To help your colleagues produce the best. Devers has already been paid. He’s set himself, and three more family generations after him, up for life.
Especially after stars like Harper and Betts recently being willing to move around as needed.
don’t forget altuve
12ft.io or your local library online.
Note to Devers
You are not bigger than the game
Your contract isn’t going to age well
Be grateful you are on the lineup card
Any Questions?
Devers is freaking out.
No one is taking on Devers contract. This was a knee-jerk reaction to the Bregman signing and just another example of the Red Sox creating unnecessary drama with their star players
“Unnecessary drama..starting players”…I think bringing in good players will always ruffle a few feathers on the team, since someone is most likely going to lose playing time to the new player.
You think bringing in a new competitive QB doesn’t ruffle the feathers of the current QB in the NFL? I do believe if you want a championship level sports team, ruffling a few feathers and egos here and there is mostly unavoidable.
Ruffling feathers is one thing, but the some teams are worse at it than other and the Sox fit that bill. See Roger Clemens, Wil Cordero, Mo Vaughn, Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez…
Businesses are never loyal.
“Never loyal”…Is there even really an expectation of “loyalty” in business? I do not believe so, since “business” is mostly predicated on the idea that all sides in business will do what’s best for their own particular interests.
“Loyalty” implies that you might not do what’s best for your own interests or your company’s interests out of “loyalty” or pity for another person, entity or interest.
Some do fool themselves into thinking their company will take care of them with a promise.
Stupid is what stupid does. Those people have been convinced if they give up their pride for the company, the company will protect their pride. Sad fools that don’t believe in themselves, why would others believe in you?
These conversations are way to black and white, I’m a restaurant owner and its a mix of loyalty and business, obviously at the end of the day we have to make money or the doors will shut. This can led to some difficult decisions. But we always try our best to look our for, and take care of, our employees. Most business are the same, people watch to many machiavellian shows and movies.
Because Scott Harris is a master trader…
Ummhh…he’s done more good than bad on the trade front Garry. The Flaherty, Soto and Lorenzen trades were very clear wins.
Basically, Devers has a complete lack of self awareness. Surely he knows he’s not good at 3B.
… So Sean McAdam is just making s*** up for clicks?
“DEVERS WANTS TO LEAVE”
and in the same article
“Even though yesterday he was okay….”
I would shove that guy (yes, SHOVE) McAdam out of my face if I was a player he fabricated stories about for clicks. Where’s the journalistic integrity
This… all this.
Eff the Boston media (McAdam, Mazz, Shaughny, all of em. Well maybe not PeteAbe, Browne and Finn, but…)
There is no story here and it’s even stated as much. All speculation. It’s like throwing food into a koi pond. Just sprinkle a little speculation out there and here come the mouth breathers ready to damnify the player.
We’re on the cusp of a wonderful season and these minions are already at work. Man, they’re the worst.
saying yoshida is not a very good defensive outfielder is like saying the 2024 white sox were not a very good baseball team
I assume you are a Sox fan. What do you think About Yoshida? Do you think he was worth the fanfare and pretty good money, although these days salaries are up there.
(my opinion, not daslt opinion)
No. I think he was signed with the hope that he could hit 25 home runs in addition to what he’s actually done at the plate, and play a passable LF.
He has done neither, which makes his contract unmovable.
I’m not saying ditch him because .280 hitters with average power don’t grow on trees, but if you’re done saying good things about him as a player after those two things, it’s not worth $18 mil.
Only option is to ride out the contract if he hits and dump him if he doesn’t and eat the money.
i’m a yankee fan and at the time of the signing i thought it seemed like a reasonable risk. the problem is the red sox now have a packed outfield and a full-time dh who hits 10 home runs won’t cut it. at a reasonable cost he’s a useful player but no one is taking on the (roughly) 3/60 left on his contract. add to this the fact that every gm in the sport knows they’re desperate to unload him and they’d have to pay down something like 45M and carry 15M dead money for the next 3 years. the sunk cost fallacy is a real thing but they might have to bite the bullet and take the least worst offer they can get. by all accounts anthony is the real deal so who knows maybe he’ll end up end delivering 15M worth of production on a league minimum salary
I think it’s too soon to call for paying down $15m/yr on Yoshida.
Abreu won’t be ready. Anthony lost a ton of weight suddenly due to sickness so that’s going to impact his whole year.
Refsnyder is only back on an affordable 1 yr pact and may be gone next year.
If you only save $4m/season moving Yoshida, he may be the heir apparent to the 4th OF/PH role next season of refsnyder.
i hadn’t heard that about anthony that’s terrible hope he recovers quickly
haven’t watched any red sox games how does campbell look so far?
Agreed its terrible. One of a pile of articles out there, but, word was 10-12 pounds and he reported in good shape with plenty of muscle. It’s not like Devers dropping 12 which would be a good thing.
si.com/mlb/red-sox/boston-red-sox-news/red-sox-s-n…
Campbell had a slow start to ST with the bat, but, has showed more life in the past week since the 6th including homering together with Anthony and Mayer in the same game the kther night. So, we shall see if it is an actual Jumpstart to things for him over the next 2 weeks.
My suspicion unless things really talenoff for him is he opens the year in AAA.
thanks for the info appreciate you taking the time. i saw the big 3 all homered in the same game would be nice if the yankees had anyone in the pipeline like that
this year should be fun the division and league are wide open
Anthony went 2 for 4 with a HR today and is hitting .326 in spring training. With Abreu starting the season on the IL he should break camp with the Red Sox.
The guy complained for years that they needed more impact players then acted like a baby when it was his position the player came in at. Lost a lot of respect for the kid in this situation
Big problems. Very big issues there. He wants to be at third only.
Can’t be good for team moral. Issue like this can cause division in the clubhouse. Yes? No? Maybe?
Not sure Jeff, but, I can tell you this: morale on the entire pitching staff only goes up with Devers off 3B
GaSox – Question is, how much does morale go down with Yoshida in left field? Granted it’s a less important position than 3B.
Fever – I dont doubt that it is less than you’d think. In the abstract I’d put money on Devers at 3B is a bigger detriment to the pitching staff than Yoshida in LF, wouldn’t you?
I agree, and have been saying this for weeks leading up to the Bregman signing.
Last year the Sox played 11 different humans at 2B. They haven’t had a real everyday 2B since Pedey retired.
Now, Devers has been kind of a diva about this. BUT, And, I blame the FO a lot of this and for not locking Bregman they signed him. What happens if he bolts? I like Bregman and hope he does well.
Where in the baseball handbook does it say “your best offensive player must also be your best defensive player”?
Is it being a “diva” when Bregman may leave Boston next season and Devers is going to be there several more? Dude signed a contract to be a career Red Sox, it’s not a diva, it’s stupid, absolutely stupid to sign Bregman without having discussions with Devers and having him on board with the plan first.
Yes, it is being a diva. Does he really believe he deserves to play 3B when he is the worst 3B in baseball?
A diva? Really? Did you actually read what he has said? Or just the idiotic comments from haters on here?
Here is the relevant fact. A +3 DRS defensive 3B that hits for a 70-80 OPS+ with Devers at DH gives the team a better chance of winning than playing Devers at 3B.
If Bregman leaves put anyone that plays good defense at 3B. Put Mayer or Campbell there. Even if they struggle with the bat, their defense will help the team win more games. Winning games is the object, not pacifying divas on big contracts.
I dont see any quotes here where devers said he considered asking for a trade.
.am i missing something? All i see is that he has definitely not asked for one..mcadam must be bored now it looks like hes spitballing on hypotheticals lol..but i suppose it is a rumor even if its totally fake
There’s a Vlad for Raffy solution in here somewhere.
“Vlad for Raffy”…The body weights are reasonably close, but I believe the Blue Jays might ask for another player, since they’d be trading away about 290 lbs but only getting about 250 lbs back from Boston.
I’m sure there’s some lead in devers’ glove that makes up for things a bit somehow.
MLBTR proof reader on vacay?
Cora’s ego in the short term won out. Devers has to acknowledge he’s not healthy enough to deserve 3B. Hence, the back down from his own ego and asking for a trade. He doesn’t have the leverage, all he can do is work hard and prove them wrong.
However, all this will be forgot. Bregman will be pushed to 2B and will be grateful for it. Devers will get his spot back and the team will move on with the best lineup until the prospects ruin the balance again. What resolves this is unknown but probably injuries or straight up trades.
This isn’t really news. It’s an open secret the Devers is all about Devers.
Who would want to trade for Devers if he insists on playing 3rd base? His defensive numbers are atrocious. He is a feared hitter but that is about it.
Detroit.
Motor City Beach Bum, Who’s the current DH in Detroit? Is it still Malloy? If so, based on them acquiring Devers, it would be silly to play Devers at 3B and not DH.
Carp would be but with injuries in the OF he likely plays out there and Tork or Malloy would get the bulk of the DH at bats.
Born to DH!
The Yankees would give their left nut to have Devers at third base.
Driving in runs on offense and giving some back on defense. Sounds like he should DH and be thankful he can at least hit.
Cora has to step in here and squash this garbage. Even if Devers was 100% adamant about sticking at 3B, isn’t he allowed to see reason and change his mind? He’s a kid who barely speaks the language (evidently) and when he’s cornered into answering volatile questions, not every answer is going to be 100% accurate.
I’d like to see Cora have his back and put all this crap to bed. The line-up and positioning will be handled on a game by game basis. Own it Cora. Be a leader.
cora wasn’t a leader as a player and isn’t one as a manager
typical Red Sox maneuver, they bring in a convicted cheater and treat one of their own as the outsider..
Mookie Betts is probably on the phone with Devers telling him to get out of dodge..
1. I would have loved that “cheater” on the Yankees. Hands down, Bregman is damn good on both sides of the ball. We should have gotten him instead of the Sox.
2. Dodgers will have a vacancy at 3rd next season if they don’t extend Muncy (doubtful). Sox and LAD have lined up before, wouldn’t put it past them to do so again.
And Yoshida to the bench…
What’s his phone number Hairy Stan so I can call and fact check that?
Absolutely no one would take that terrible contract!
The Red Sox are commissioning baseball to change to pick your field and automatic throws.
Manfred might just do it.
If it’s true , he joins the “non player club” with Juan Soto .that’s just ridiculous. I know it’s financially impossible but it would serve him right if the Red Sox shipped him off to one of the teams that have no chance of winning ever in the current mlb climate.
Man, you’re petty, cash.
Not really just bored as well as someone who isn’t particularly fond of Mr Devers in the first place on the bright side at least he won’t be able to beat up on Cole this year
Devers is signed long term, Bregman is only guaranteed to be there for a season.
I get wanting to win but angering your franchise player on a potential one year flyer is stupid. If Devers moves to DH this season, he’s a DH for the rest of his career. It’s not like he is going to improve his defense by not playing the position for a year.
This is a worse situation than Suzuki in Chicago. Also, what is Boston going to do with Yoshida? Bregman was a really shortsighted move by the Red Sox.
“If Devers moves to DH this season, he’s a DH for the rest of his career.”
He absolutely should be a DH for the rest of his career.
Jean – And you know he can’t play first base how?
Did you personally put him through top secret drills at first base?
I don’t know. I never said he couldn’t. I was just thinking of the current roster. They already have an experienced guy at 1B, and moving Casas off the position for a guy that has never played there, doesn’t make sense to me.
I don’t think he’ll get traded, so it’s all about the RS IMO. But if, on the outside chance that they did trade him, and the acquiring team had a need at 1B, giving him a look there would be reasonable.
Devers should have been a DH long ago. He absolutely should be a DH for the rest of his career. If he shuts up and just goes out and hits, he will be loved in Boston.
Yoshida will start the season on the IL. He is a platoon hitter with little power when healthy and the labrum surgery he had on his throwing shoulder nearly guarantees he won’t be as good in the field or at the plate as he was in the past. Since 2000, 100% of position players that have had that surgery have seen an offensive regression in year one and 82% took until the 3rd season after the surgery to return to baseline performance.
Bregman makes the team better. The purpose of playing the game is to win. Bregman makes it possible to win more games in 2025. If he leaves after 2025 the Red Sox will still be a better team with Devers at DH than at 3B. If Bregman leaves put Mayer or Campbell there.
Then he realized no one wanted him as a 3B. So he capitulated to the inevitable move to DH.
He considered it. He decided not to ask for a trade. Sounds like he’s moving on. I think I will too.
Exactly, cards. This is like 1950’s housewife gossip.
Yeesh, leave it to a StL fan to be the voice of reason. I feel icky now.
Born and raised in IL by diehard Cub fans… sorry, had it say it. Seriously tho, drop that mic.
Good for him. They make an agreement with him and then broke it. Cora then had the balls to place the blame all in Bloom.
If they didn’t make that agreement with him, he more than likely doesn’t sign an extension, hits FA, and some team makes the same commitment to him and he makes more money in a bidding war.
Not signing him to that extension would have been a better move for the Red Sox. It is not like we didn’t all already know going into 2023 that he would have to move to DH. He has always been a terrible defensive 3B.
If Devers went into FA after the 2023 season, do you really think he would have signed a $313.5 million deal? Not a chance. Like every other person with even a smattering of knowledge of baseball, every team in the sport knew he was destined for DH and would have paid him like one. He would have been likely to get $20-22 million AAV.
Why can’t Devers at least try 2nd base for awhile. It’s a much easier position on defense and maybe his defense is more pallatable than 3B. Obviously his throws would be much shorter and he has more time on grounders. It could maybe add some value on defense for him, not to mention how much it could help the team. And with Bregman at 3B the defense is much better. And he would lose some weight running around much more at 2B.
I don’t think “helping the team” is on Devers’ to-do list.
“helping the team” will help Devers help himself value wise if indeed he really wants out of Boston. Getting off on a hot streak will also help the Sox value wise if they want to move him.
It could prove a win-win.
mab – Easier position?
With 2B you have a lot more ground to cover going to both your left and your right.
And most of all, you have to be adept at turning the DP when you’re playing 2B. Do you really picture Devers quickly fielding a throw, jumping in the air twisting to throw to first base, all while a runner is bearing down on him?
FPG: I’ll stick with what I said. 2nd base is easier to play. Maybe more to think about at 2nd but a lot more time to react. 3rd base is mostly reflexes and having a great arm. Maybe Devers can’t handle 2nd either? But we already know he’s close to horrible at 3rd.
Players like Gleyber Torres and Devers, who are Atrocious fielders at their chosen positions (2B & 3B, respectively), but insist that they must continue to Suck at their chosen position, sicken me.
Most fans tend to overlook the fact that in any other normal profession, you’d be fired and be collecting unemployment if you sucked at half your job.
Yet, players, like Torres & Devers, act like teams should just live with their atrocious defense.
Devers, you’re an excellent hitter, but you’re an Awful third basemen; and Torres, you’re a mediocre hitter, an atrocious base runner, and a God-Awful 2B, so both of you shut the F Up, and stop whining about your employer wanting to improve their defense, when you’re being paid millions of dollars to do about 50% of the job of a truly great player.
“…you’d be fired…if you sucked at half your job.”
Well maybe. I think a better analogy might be if a guy worked at a warehouse/delivery job. He’s a hard worker, strong, who can load a truck quickly and efficiently, without damage. Except that he can’t drink the truck for $hit. The smart thing is not fire him, use him for what he does best, but take him out of the drivers’ seat. Just as the RS should keep Devers, use him for what he does best, but take him off 3B.
The speculation was speculative.
He’s getting moved sometime. Boston’s front office sees him as a trade chip now and no longer part of the long-term picture.
That’s a ridiculous statement. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
@ghostofmookiebetts
If you step back and look at the Red Sox’s roster from a long-term perspective, Devers’ trade potential makes a lot of sense, even if it seems out of left field now. With Bregman’s arrival and his superior defense at third base, it’s clear that Devers’ spot at the hot corner is in jeopardy. His defensive numbers have always been poor, and with Boston needing to make room for other guys in the lineup—like Yoshida, who also needs DH time—it creates a bit of a logjam. Devers’ contract, though not bad for a bat of his caliber, becomes a bigger concern if he’s locked into DH duties as he ages. The new front office, led by Breslow, didn’t sign Devers to that deal and may not have the same attachment to him as Bloom did. If they think he doesn’t fit their long-term vision, they’ll look to trade him while his value is still high. Plus, if the third base market stays weak, Devers could quickly become one of the top targets available, giving the Sox leverage. Add in the risk of performance decline, and moving him now seems like a smart play to maximize return while his bat is still at its peak. So, while the trade talk isn’t happening today, it’s not a matter of if, but when, especially with all the moving pieces in play.
Bregman is gone after this year if he plays well
Where is he going to get 40 mil a year?
@Teamspirit
Blue Jays. No one wants to take their money…
It’s not about the yearly amount it’s total dollars. Like York says, the Blue Jays would probably do it. They’ll take anyone that’s willing to play for them at this point. lol
Who cares? This is just as bad as small town gossip at this point. He said what he needed to and has moved on. Time for the “reporters” and everyone else to do the same.
Crybaby, and one who couldn’t catch his tears apparently
OJ promised he’d love Nicole forever.
Things can change.
The Red Sox need Devers even more than Devers needs the Red Sox. They’d be foolish to let him go. Explain to him that he has to DH for the good of the team this year, because theyre trying to win a postseason spot.
Devers is a DH. No one is going to take his contract, so he is stuck on the Red Sox. He should just shut up and hit the ball.
Make him run defense drills everyday until he gets better. That should shut him up.
He’s a franchise player.
So was Big Papi. At DH.
Raffy, if you play 81 games at third you’ll probably not lead the league 3Bmen in errors, capiche?
And maybe you won’t be worn out the second half of the season, where your numbers drop off like crazy.
Sometimes it’s better for everybody to stash the ego.
Surely the “agreement” with Bloom carries the caveat that Devers needs to be somewhat competent at playing 3B? How bad does he have to be(Sheffield or Encarnacian bad?) before the deal is off?
It’d be like telling your butler that sure, you can also be my permanent limo driver. However if the guy goes blind, then the driving job is over. You can still do some butler stuff, but driving is definitely a no go.
I did not know Devers was such a diva. Dude got paid. Should be happy to help the team in anyway possible. This guy is no better than StroMe.
His ego is bigger than his talent
No one will want to give much up for an overpaid over rated Cant field player like devers
Great, I’m sure that the Tigers could use another person who can’t play at 3rd
The best hope is that the Cubs give us back Workman
Dude is a way better defender and hits about as well as Jung.
Hits well against, runs well, defends well as opposed to hits nothing, sucks badly at 3b, can’t run…
Jung is going to about as good as Torkelberg. As in terrible
at least he didn’t declare Operation Shutdown
Get real people. Devers isn’t going anywhere. He was rated the 2d best 3b overall — even with the bad “D”. Bregman’s deal is really only 1yr 31.9 MM net present value — in fact with growing inflation the Bosox made a great deal. Bregman will opt out and get a 5 0r 6 yr deal for more than 32 MM without the draft pick holding any teams back from bidding. The solution for 2025 is that Devers plays 3b when they need the DH to get Yoshida’s bat in the lineup and DH’s the rest of the time. Bregman plays 3b when Devers rests or is the DH; SS when Story rests or is the DH; and 2b or DH the rest of the time. Remember Bregman was a SS when drafted and has never had any problem at SS/2b/3b. Yoshida starts vs RHP’s only and is a PH on the bench when a LHP starts, if a RHP comes in.
I think in the long-run, Mayer goes to 3rd and Arias goes to SS. There is still unlikely to be a 3B opening for Devers.
The “long-run” with prospects can be just a mirage. In 2025 the facts are Cora will have to get the most out of a team with Devers, Yoshida, Bregman and Story on it. Those four with Duran, Wong, Casas, Raffela , Abreu/Ref will be the bulk of the offense in the first half. All this trade Raffy, Casas, Yoshida talk has no basis in reality.
Send him packing then
What could they reasonably expect to get in return?
If Rafeal Devers only hit 5 HR’s a season, he wouldn’t be anybody’s third baseman. His offensive prowess is what makes him a major league player.
Letting Xander Bogaert’s, the face of the team, walk was a colossal blunder by the Red Sox front office, which prompted them to sign Devers to that massive contract.
Devers defensive shortcomings can be overlooked by a mediocre team in the regular season, but to win in the playoffs which is every team’s goal, you need solid defense.
Devers is a liability at 3rd, Bregman is our 3rd baseman.
Letting Xander Bogaert’s, the face of the team, walk was a colossal blunder by the Red Sox front office,
=====================
Bogaerts has arguably the worst contract in baseball.
And Betts was never going to sign with the Sox. So signing Devers was the only thing they could do.
Trade him to Toronto for Bichette and Bloss, Then take a run at signing Bichette and if you can’t, deal at the deadline.
So much big yikes coming out after that extension …
Somebody remind Devers that yes, you CAN be a legend and make the Hall of Fame being a full time DH for the Boston Red Sox. Maybe put him in a room with Big Papi to discuss how much better of a hitter he could be if he didn’t have to field and could instead spend the time between ABs in the clubhouse breaking down video of that day’s pitchers in real time.
As Cora said when spring training was starting: “it’s not about was is best for Rafael Devers, or Alex Bregman, or Alex Cora… It’s about what’s best for the Boston Red Sox”.