When Alex Bregman made a highlight-reel play at third base against the Kansas City Royals this week, it didn’t just light up the web; it reignited a brewing conversation in Boston about Rafael Devers and his role on the team.
Bregman’s slick glove work was the kind of play Red Sox fans had grown accustomed to seeing from Devers during his eight-year run at the hot corner. But with Bregman now manning third and Devers shifted to full-time designated hitter, some fans are beginning to wonder whether Boston’s $300 million star needs to reconsider his stance on playing elsewhere, specifically, first base.
Devers, who is batting .253 with six home runs, 26 RBIs, and an .820 OPS so far this season, has mostly embraced his role as a DH, though he’s logged a handful of games back at third when needed. But the season-ending injury to Triston Casas has left a gaping hole at first base, and Boston’s stopgap solution, a revolving door of utility players like Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro, hasn’t exactly inspired confidence.
The instability at the position has made it increasingly difficult for the Red Sox to generate consistency at a corner infield spot typically associated with run production and defensive reliability.
While Devers has made it clear he’s not interested in making yet another position switch midseason, some fans see things differently. From their perspective, Devers’ reluctance is becoming harder to justify, especially given how the front office already made concessions by moving him off third to accommodate Bregman.
Fans Speak Out on Devers’ Flexibility
That urgency hit a boiling point on social media when Bregman flashed the leather in Kansas City, prompting many to question Devers’ decision to stick solely to DH duties. The frustration is compounded by the fact that Boston is hanging around in a competitive AL East, where every defensive miscue and missed opportunity can mean the difference between a playoff push and an early offseason.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just telling a hitter to put on a first baseman’s mitt. Devers hasn’t played the position before, and transitioning midseason could affect his performance and confidence. But as fans see it, versatility is part of being a franchise cornerstone, and Devers may need to show more flexibility if Boston wants to remain competitive without making a major move at the trade deadline.