Rafael Devers Says He'd Reject Red Sox Request to Play DH After Alex Bregman Contract

Rafael Devers isn't interested in changing positions.

When asked what he'd say to the Boston Red Sox if the team wanted him to move to designated hitter, the third baseman confirmed that he wouldn't be open to the concept.

"No," Devers said, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald.

"I play third base," he added, via Starr.

Boston signed star third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract in free agency.

Devers revealed that Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora approached him regarding a position change on Friday but he was "very adamantly against it," per MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.

When asked if being forced to move to designated hitter would result in a trade request, Devers was noncommittal.

“That’s a tough answer to give," Devers said, via Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "I haven’t given it much thought. … but I’m open to listening to what they have to say moving forward.”

The 28-year-old Devers appears to have experienced a change of heart, as he previously liked a social media post from a Red Sox podcast discussing Bregman moving to the hot corner in Boston.

Devers signed an 11-year contract extension worth $331 million with the Red Sox in Jan. 2023. He's spent his entire career in Boston, serving as the team's third baseman since his MLB debut in 2017.

Cora addressed the situation on Monday:

The three-time All-Star is coming off a 2024 season in which he racked up 28 home runs, 34 doubles and 83 RBIs to go along with a .272/.354/.516 slash line.

As for Bregman, he hit .260 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs throughout 145 appearances with the Astros last season. He also recorded a .768 OPS.

With the Red Sox entering the 2025 season attempting to end a three-year postseason drought, they'll need to figure out their starting third baseman in spring training.