Rafael Devers simply could be the Boston Crimson Sox’s Opening Day DH in spite of everything. Earlier this spring, Devers mentioned he considers himself a 3rd baseman and wouldn’t transfer to DH in deference to Alex Bregman, the superior defender. On Thursday, Devers walked again these feedback, and mentioned he could be OK with being the DH on Opening Day.
“I do not make these selections,” Devers added (through The Athletic), including he feels dangerous for making a distraction and that he’ll do “no matter they need me to do” (through MLB.com).
“It has been sort of unhappy that I have been put on the market as somebody who’s again within the group or not, not about this group, however I’ve matured so much throughout this and I am prepared to maneuver ahead,” he mentioned (through NESN).
It’s price noting that Devers has not but appeared in a recreation this spring. He’s nursing a shoulder damage and was initially anticipated to make his spring debut final Wednesday, however it was pushed again a number of days, then a number of extra days, then a number of extra days after that. Devers is tentatively scheduled to play in his first recreation Saturday, although that’s written in pencil, not pen.
Moreover, Bregman has performed nothing however third base and DH this spring. With Devers at third, Bregman must slide over to second base, a place he has not performed since 2018, and he has not performed second in any respect this spring. If the Crimson Sox intend to play Bregman at second this 12 months, they are not doing an excellent job of making ready him for it.
Defensively, it’s inarguable the Crimson Sox are higher with Bregman at third and Devers at DH. Devers has led the league in errors at third base yearly since 2018, and the superior defensive metrics charge him as under common as properly. Bregman stays an above-average gloveman who received his first Gold Glove in 2024.
“I assume there’s numerous selections that we’ve got to make round (third base), proper?” Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned throughout an MLB Community interview earlier this month. “Raffy was loud and clear. He is a 3rd baseman … I feel that first recreation in Texas we’ll do no matter is sweet for the Boston Crimson Sox and they’re all on board. There’s numerous conversations and we’ll see what occurs.”
Devers, 28, is getting into the second season of the franchise-record 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed in January 2023. The Crimson Sox signed Bregman, 31 later this month, to a three-year, $120 million contract with two choose outs earlier this winter. Nonetheless they’re aligned defensively, each will likely be counted on to supply massive numbers offensively in 2025.
The Crimson Sox went 81-81 final 12 months after which had an enormous offseason, one which netted Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler along with Bregman. Boston has been hit arduous by accidents this spring although. Righty Lucas Giolito is the newest Crimson Sox pitcher to get harm and can start the common season on the injured record.
