Rafael Devers makes controversial 1B decision, 'upset' at Red Sox for lying to him
Context:
Rafael Devers is embroiled in a disagreement with the Boston Red Sox over a proposed position change to first base following Triston Casas's season-ending surgery. Despite manager Alex Cora's insistence that Devers will not play first base, it was revealed that the organization had asked him to make the switch, which Devers has refused, citing prior assurances that he would only play as a designated hitter. Devers expressed frustration, feeling the team has not been true to their word after previously moving him from third base to designated hitter. The controversy has reignited a situation that was thought to be resolved during spring training, as Devers has dedicated himself to his designated hitter role. The Red Sox now face the challenge of replacing Casas at first base without Devers's involvement, leaving the team's strategy uncertain for the remainder of the season.
Dive Deeper:
Rafael Devers is at odds with the Boston Red Sox after being asked to switch to first base due to Triston Casas's injury, despite previous assurances that he would only play as a designated hitter.
Manager Alex Cora has consistently stated that Devers would not be playing first base, although the organization had initially left the option open, leading to confusion and frustration for Devers.
Devers has refused to consider the position change, emphasizing his commitment to the designated hitter role and his disappointment with the team's handling of the situation.
The controversy stems from a broken promise made during spring training, where Devers was told he would not need to play any position other than designated hitter, prompting him to set aside his fielding glove.
With Casas out for the season, the Red Sox are left to find an alternative solution for first base, as Devers remains unwilling to fill the vacancy, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the team's decision-making.
Devers's dissatisfaction is further fueled by the feeling that the team has reneged on their promise, which adds to the pressure on the Red Sox management to address the first base dilemma without involving him.
The team's internal conflict over Devers's role has resurfaced as a major issue, overshadowing previous resolutions made in spring training and complicating the team's roster strategy.
The Boston Red Sox once again find themselves in a tough spot with Rafael Devers. With Triston Casas out for the year, there have been talks about Devers playing first base.
Alex Cora has remained adamant that Devers will not play first base, despite Craig Breslow initially leaving that option on the table. Devers had been refusing to speak to the media on the matter, but recently revealed that the organization asked him to play first base, according to MassLive's Christopher Smith.
"Red Sox' Rafael Devers said 'no' when asked if he thinks there's a chance he could change his mind about playing 1B: 'I don’t think so. They told me I’m a little hard-headed. They already asked me to change once and this time I don’t think I can be as flexible,'" Smith wrote on X.
Devers has made it very clear that he will not change positions again after the team moved him off of third base in the spring. He even went on to reveal that he is upset with how the team is handling the situation as a whole.
"Yeah," Devers replied to a question on if he was upset about being asked to play first base. "I don’t think they stay true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH. And now they are going back on that. So yeah, I don’t think they stay true to their word."
Devers' move to the designated hitter spot was the talk of spring training, and just when the team thought the situation was behind them, it is suddenly a headline again. Casas will be out for the rest of the year after getting surgery, and the team will need to find an answer at first base. At this point in time, it is very clear that it will not be Devers. He is clearly upset that the team lied to him when they told him that he would strictly be the designated hitter, which he has dedicated time to getting used to.
"I know I’m a ballplayer but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove — that I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH. So right now, I just feel like it’s not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position."
The Red Sox's answer to the first base problem remains to be seen, but it does not sound like fans will see Devers picking his glove back up anytime soon
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