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The ongoing saga surrounding Rafael Devers and his future position with the Boston Red Sox took another turn this week as Devers and manager Alex Cora addressed the controversy.
What began as a firm stance from Devers—insisting he would remain at third base—has now softened, with the star slugger indicating he will accept whatever role the team decides, including designated hitter.
However, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, reports suggest Devers was not initially happy about the situation and even contemplated requesting a trade.
While tensions seem to have cooled, the Red Sox are still working toward a final decision on Devers’ defensive future, particularly with the addition of Alex Bregman, who appears poised to take over at third base.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Cora acknowledged the team’s scrutiny in handling the situation but remained optimistic about Devers’ mindset.
“People might say that we didn’t handle this the right way,” Cora said, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. “People are saying that he was selfish. People have their opinions. We just got to keep going.”
The Red Sox manager also noted that Devers is focused on improving and helping the team contend for a World Series, which aligns with the organization’s goals.
Although Cora did not reveal details of private discussions between Devers, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and himself, he emphasized that Devers is mentally sound and ready to contribute.
Uncertainty still surrounds Devers’ role, adding intrigue to the upcoming season. Meanwhile, the recent Netflix documentary about the Red Sox franchise seems all the more compelling, given the drama unfolding in real time.
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