Rafael Devers Talks Frustration With Red Sox Asking Him to Play 1B After Casas Injury
Rafael Devers is displeased with the Boston Red Sox asking him to play first base with Triston Casas expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee.
In particular, Devers seems upset at both the request via Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the timing as well, as noted by reporter Christopher Smith of MassLive. He also is unwilling to make the move, as noted by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.
Devers, who is in ninth MLB season, is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger hitting .246 (.800 OPS) with five home runs and 23 RBI.
Devers has been the team's full-time designated hitter this year after Boston added Alex Bregman in free agency from the Houston Astros.
Back in February, Devers told reporters he wasn't willing to move off third base for Bregman.
“No,” Devers said repeatedly, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive on Feb. 17. “I play third.”
“It’s my decision ... My position is third base,” he added. “Whatever it is they want to do is what they want to do. But my position is third base.
“It’s my position. I’m not just going to change on a whim like that. That’s my reaction currently.”
One week later, he maintained that he wanted to stay at third base but wasn't frustrated with the team.
"I'm not frustrated," he told reporters. "I don't have the need to be frustrated about anything with anybody... My family is good. My kids are good. I have no reason to be frustrated about anything. I don't listen to what's said. I don't pay attention to what is said. I just know what I'm capable of. I'm happy being this way."
Obviously, one can understand why Devers might be frustrated now after he made clear he didn't want to move off third base to begin with. Now the Red Sox want to move him across the diamond, a move that Devers doesn't like.
Romy González has been the team's primary first baseman when Casas hasn't played there this year. Boston can also use Abraham Toro at first.
Ultimately, this is something Devers and the Sox need to figure out. Devers is on a 10-year contract worth up to $313.5 million that runs through 2033, so he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. For now, the Red Sox are slogging through a 19-19 season, with hopes of moving back over .500 on Friday when they begin a road series with the Kansas City Royals.
