The Boston Red Sox find themselves in an awkward roster dilemma—having two elite third basemen, but only one position on the field. Unfortunately, it’s led to tension with longtime franchise star Rafael Devers, who is clearly frustrated with how the situation has been handled.
In a candid session with reporters, Devers expressed dissatisfaction with the direction the front office—particularly GM Craig Breslow—has taken. “They basically told me to hang up my glove and prepare to only DH,” Devers said. “Then suddenly, someone in the outfield gets hurt, and they’re asking if I can play out there. I don’t get what they’re thinking.”
The offseason acquisition of Alex Bregman, signed to a lucrative three-year, $120 million contract, forced the Red Sox to shift one of their star infielders off third base. Management chose to keep Bregman at the hot corner, moving Devers into a full-time designated hitter role. Since Opening Day, Bregman has started all but one game at third, with Romy Gonzalez stepping in once.
This arrangement was working—at least on paper—until a major injury hit. Triston Casas, the team’s starting first baseman, suffered a season-ending ruptured patella tendon last week. The most straightforward fix would be sliding Devers over to first base, but he’s remained firm in his refusal to switch positions, a stance he’s held since Bregman signed.
Both sides share blame for the current standoff. While it’s not unusual for veteran players to adjust positions throughout their careers, especially when team needs shift, Devers has resisted. His defensive numbers don’t help his case—Baseball Savant has tracked him at -29 Outs Above Average since 2021. Bregman, by contrast, won a Gold Glove last season and is widely respected for his fielding skills.
That said, the front office’s handling of the situation also raises questions. It's unclear how transparent they were with Devers before signing Bregman, but the friction could have been mitigated with better communication or planning. This type of conflict seemed foreseeable.
Despite the off-field drama, both players are delivering at the plate. Bregman is hitting a stellar .318/.392/.596, while Devers boasts a .255/.379/.455 line and currently leads the AL in walks. However, with Casas out, the team has leaned on Gonzalez and Abraham Toro to cover first base—neither of whom has proven reliable offensively.
Devers, who came up through the Red Sox system after signing as an international prospect in 2013, is only in year two of his 10-year, $313.5 million deal. After letting stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts walk, the Red Sox made Devers the centerpiece of their long-term plans. But this current friction complicates that vision.
In the short term, the team must find a more productive solution at first base to remain competitive—currently sitting just above .500 at 20-19. As the trade deadline approaches, adding a bat at first may be necessary to stay in the playoff picture.
Looking ahead, this positional gridlock could persist. Bregman has opt-outs after each year of his contract and could test free agency again—or choose to remain in Boston collecting $40 million annually. As long as he holds down third base, Devers will likely remain in the DH slot.
Over the long haul, Boston faces a challenging situation: a 28-year-old cornerstone player locked into a lengthy deal, offering little defensive value and showing no willingness to adapt. That lack of flexibility could become a major issue for a team hoping to remain agile and competitive in the years to come. The tension between Devers and the front office only adds another layer to a problem the Red Sox can’t afford to ignore.
