Red Sox brass, including John Henry, met with Rafael Devers following viral remarks about being asked to play 1B
“It was a good conversation. He expressed his feelings. John (Henry) did the same thing.”
The Red Sox appear to be moving past Rafael Devers’s postgame comments from Thursday.
Owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora all met with Devers in person before Boston’s three-game series against the Royals in Kansas City this weekend. Henry, Kennedy, and Breslow flew out for the conversation.
Breslow and Cora spoke to the media after the meeting and before Friday’s game.
“There were conversations,” Breslow said (via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo). “… It was actually John who spoke directly with Raffy. We felt like it was important based on the situation that unfolded yesterday to come out here and have an honest conversation about what we value as an organization and what we believe is important to the Boston Red Sox. That being great teammates for each other.”
Devers notably called out Breslow for asking the player to play first base in place of the injured Triston Casas. The former third baseman and current designated hitter doesn’t seem keen on changing positions again this season.
Nevertheless, Breslow explained that he appreciated being able to sit down with Devers to discuss the situation.
“It was a chance for honest, candid exchange,” he said (via NESN.com). “There was some misunderstanding on the communication or an opportunity to provide more clear communication. Hopefully that was a step in the right direction here today.”
Cora said Tuesday that he wouldn’t be asking Devers to play first base as the team continues on without Casas. The next day, however, Cora left the door open for the conversation to happen.
Some time between then and Thursday, Breslow appeared to have brought the topic up to Devers, leading to his blunt comments.
Similarly to Breslow, Cora came away from the all-hands-on-deck meeting with a positive outlook.
“It was a good conversation. He expressed his feelings. John did the same thing,” Cora said. “I think the most important thing here is we’re trying to accomplish something big here. Obviously, there’s changes in the roster, situations that happen. You have to adjust.”
Cora also said that Boston will continue to look at their first baseman options. He said Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro will play the position this weekend in Kansas City.
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