MLB Exec Predicts Rafael Devers Will Cede 3B to Alex Bregman: 'He Likes to be Liked'

Even though Rafael Devers is insisting right now that he is the third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, people within MLB are predicting he will eventually move off the position for Alex Bregman.

Speaking to ESPN's Buster Olney, one rival talent evaluator explained Devers has an easy-going personality that will help push him to make the right move in the best interest of the team.

"He's like a lot of us—he likes to be liked," the evaluator said. "He's going to hang around with [Alex] Bregman and his other teammates and he's going to see how good the team could be, and he'll say yes."

Making his first public comments of the spring and after the Red Sox signed Bregman, Devers told reporters on Monday that third base "is my position" and he's "made it clear" to the organization that's where he wants to play.

Bregman, who signed a three-year, $120 million contract on Saturday, downplayed any potential drama by saying on Tuesday he will play anywhere on the diamond.

"I'm super excited to just be [Devers'] teammate," Bregman said. "He's a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning, and whatever it takes to help the team win—that's all I'm focused on. I'll play wherever [manager Alex Cora] tells me to play."

Devers has spent the bulk of his career at the hot corner since making his MLB debut in 2017. He's played 947 out of 980 games at the position, with designated hitter being his second-most prominent spot (21 games).

It's hard to argue the Red Sox are better off with Devers staying at third. He ranks last among 14 qualified third basemen in defensive runs saved (minus-62) and outs above average (minus-29) since 2017.

By comparison, Bregman ranks fifth in both categories during that period. He won his first career Gold Glove award in 2024.

Second base is also a position of need for Boston, so it wouldn't be the worst thing if Bregman were to at least start this season at the keystone. Red Sox second baseman ranked last in FanGraphs' wins above replacement (minus-2.3) at the position in 2024.

Bregman's versatility offers Red Sox manager Alex Cora plenty of options to figure out throughout the spring before they open the regular season on March 27 against the Texas Rangers.