Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has made it clear that he will not be shifting to a new position, despite the team signing Alex Bregman to a three-year contract. Devers, a three-time All-Star and one of the most productive players in the league, stated his desire to remain at third base during a conversation with Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Devers signed an 11-year, $331 million contract extension last January, which made him one of the highest-paid players in baseball. His production has been impressive, hitting over 20 home runs each of the past three seasons while playing just 138 games last year due to injuries.
The signing of Bregman, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, was intended to provide depth at third base and potentially help the Red Sox improve their playoff chances. However, Devers’ desire to remain at his preferred position has created some uncertainty about the team’s infield plans.
Cora acknowledged that there is competition for playing time, but emphasized that the team will make decisions that benefit them in the long run. He noted that Devers “has a lot of pride” and will work out as a third baseman, while also exploring options with Bregman at second or third base, depending on the situation.
The Red Sox hope that landing Bregman will help them break their playoff drought, which has stretched to five years. With Bregman’s addition, the team is looking to add depth and flexibility to its roster.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43891395/red-sox-rafael-devers-cede-3b-alex-bregman-signing