Earlier this week, Boston Purple Sox third baseman Rafael Devers raised eyebrows when he let or not it’s identified that he declined the crew’s request to accommodate new free-agent signing Alex Bregman by relocating from the recent nook to designated hitter. (“I informed them no. I am a 3rd baseman,” he stated.) The Purple Sox haven’t but clarified how they’re going to deploy Devers and Bregman when the season begins for them on March 27 towards the Texas Rangers. Bregman, although, has now made it identified that he is prepared to play wherever in an effort to assist his new membership obtain its aggressive upside.
“I believe everyone right here believes of their talents,” Bregman informed MLB.com. “I believe all of us imagine that if all of us put collectively a superb effort this season, we now have a very good likelihood of being a successful baseball crew. For me, I can solely speak for myself, I will play wherever it helps the crew win.”
Bregman, who has reliably graded as a greater defender than Devers, has not performed a place apart from third base since 2019.
Snyder’s Soapbox: Purple Sox debacle with Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman finds blame with (nearly) all events
Matt Snyder
On paper, he would seem to have the athleticism to efficiently transition to second base. Whereas that looks as if a straightforward sufficient repair, the catch is that the Purple Sox additionally make use of Kristian Campbell, one of many recreation’s prime second base prospects. Underneath MLB’s present Collective Bargaining Settlement, the Purple Sox are incentivized to have Campbell begin the 12 months within the majors — they might acquire draft-pick compensation if he had been to get pleasure from nice particular person success.
Having extra gifted gamers than spots is rarely a nasty factor. Even on this case, the Purple Sox may discover a compromise that enables them to hold and deploy Devers, Bregman, and Campbell and all with out challenge. Nonetheless, reaching that time might require weathering some current complications.
