Rafael Devers rejects talk of switching to DH for Red Sox after Bregman signing

"I’m someone that I believe in people’s word, and I take it to heart and yeah, it was very surprising that they would suggest that.”

Rafael Devers pushed back against talk of switching to DH this season for the Red Sox. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)

By Conor Ryan

February 17, 2025

4 minutes to read

Alex Bregman kept his options open this weekend when asked about his preference of where he wants to play in the Red Sox infield this season.

“I just want to play wherever it helps the team win,” Bregman told reporters Sunday. “I’ll leave that decision to AC [Alex Cora], and I’ll just do whatever he tells me to do and try and be there every single day, work hard and be ready to win.”

Despite Alex Cora signaling earlier this winter that Bregman could make an easy switch to second base, the most logical spot for Bregman is at third, considering that the 30-year-old veteran has played a majority of his 1,111 career games at the hot corner (and just nine games at second).

Even though that switch to third would force Rafael Devers to either move to DH or first base, Bregman would help solidify Boston’s shoddy infield defense — especially after winning a Gold Glove at the position with Houston in 2024.

Pushing Devers to DH could be a win-win for all parties — allowing Devers to focus solely on hitting, shoring up a defensive deficiency in the process, while also limiting some of the wear and tear that hindered the 28-year-old All-Star in recent seasons.

But speaking to reporters on Monday in Fort Myers, Devers was adamant about staying at third, even after Bregman’s arrival.

“Third base is my position,” Devers told reporters. “It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”

When asked what he would say if the team insisted that he play DH to accommodate Bregman, Devers responded,” No.”

He was then asked to clarify through Red Sox staffer and translator Daveson Perez.

“Like I’ve been saying, it’s my position and I’m not just going to change on a whim,” Devers said, as transcribed by The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.

LIVE: Raffy speaks with the media. https://t.co/T6uR0VPoYg
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 17, 2025

Devers acknowledged that he had a conversation with Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow shortly before the Bregman signing was made official about switching positions.

“They asked me the question about how I feel about DH and, yeah, I gave them the answer I just gave: No,” Devers said, later adding that it was a “surprise” to be asked to DH if the scenario played out. “I’m someone that I believe in people’s word, and I take it to heart and yeah, it was very surprising that they would suggest that.”

Cora was asked if there was any potential promise or guarantee granted to Devers about being fixed at third base after signing a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension with the team in January 2023.

“Different people here. There is a different leader here. Chaim is in St. Louis now,” Cora said in reference to Chaim Bloom — who served as the Red Sox’ chief baseball officer from October 2019 to September 2023.

Despite the change in leadership from Bloom to Breslow, Devers acknowledged that he did not expect to change positions with nine years left on his current contract.

“I don’t know what caused the change,” Devers said. “But I know that I’ve worked really hard on my defense throughout the years. I feel that last year I had a really good year. You know, I still have a lot more to give. But I definitely feel like last year was really good and I hope to continue doing it.”

Despite Devers’ comments, his defense has continued to be an issue at the hot corner — as he has led the AL in errors at third every single season since 2018.

Even though his 12 errors last year were his fewest since debuting in 2017, Devers still posted a negative-6 Outs Above Average last season. Bregman finished with a plus-6 Outs Above Average last season with Houston.

Despite Devers’ candid comments, Cora stressed that any lineup decisions are far from being set in stone — especially with Boston still wanting to see if top prospect Kristian Campbell can earn a spot at second base out of camp.

LIVE: Alex Cora sits down with the media after full squad workouts. https://t.co/kD5Sd2YWLR
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 17, 2025

“It’s too early right now to say Raffy is going to be a DH or going to play third base, or that Alex is going to be a second baseman or going to play third base,” Cora said. “There is competition here, and I think flexibility and versatility is huge for us.

“We have some talented guys. We’re going to take the best roster going to Texas [for Opening Day].”

Cora added that he’ll continue to talk with Devers as they attempt to chart out where he best fits in Boston’s revamped defense in 2025.

“I’m going to talk to Raffy, we’re going to keep working and we’re going to making decisions on what we need to win the division,” Cora said. “Me and Raffy have a great relationship. That’s something where I make sure, ‘Like, hey man, this is the baseball side of it. We’re still Raffy and Alex.’

“I have been with this kid since November 2017. It’s part of the business. We’ll keep working. Decisions will be made based on roster construction. That’s the reality of it and we’ll keep talking.”