David Ortiz weighs in on Rafael Devers trade: ‘Players’ egos play a big role sometimes’
"I’ve seen it with so many players. Sammy Sosa. A-Rod, my friend. Manny Ramirez, you name it."
David Ortiz said he knew the situation between Rafael Devers and the Red Sox wasn’t going to end well.
Devers, who began his career with playing third base for the Sox, initially bristled at the idea of switching to designated hitter.
He made the switch and produced at the plate, but the Red Sox asked him to make another position switch to first base after Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury.
There was just too much going on, Ortiz said.
“I know the communication between Devers and the Red Sox wasn’t the best at the very beginning,” Ortiz told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. “But at some point, you have to realize the organization has the power over everyone. They can play you, trade you, let you go. Sometimes, as a young player, it’s hard to understand that. But they have the power to do whatever they want. The only thing you can control is what you do on the field.”
According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox felt that Devers was not living up to his responsibility to do what’s right for the team. Devers signed a 10-year, $313 million contract extension with the club in 2023.
Ortiz said he never thought twice about playing first base when the team needed him during his career.
“I think it would be easier, if they pay you that kind of money, to go, ‘F— it, let’s do it.’” Ortiz said. “But players’ egos play a big role sometimes. I’ve seen it with so many players. Sammy Sosa. A-Rod, my friend. Manny Ramirez, you name it. And guess what? At the end of the day … you know you did wrong. Once you mature, you understand.”
Ortiz said there are certain situations where a player has to put his ego to the side.
“The organization is always going to be there,” Ortiz said. “Players come and go. As a player, sometimes you’ve got to put your ego aside and understand that once you get paid, you’ve got to find a way to do what you’re told,” Ortiz said.
“That’s a message for all young players who think they turn out to be bigger than the game. I’m not saying that Devers was like that. He’s humble. He’s a good kid. But sometimes when you’re young and immature, you (don’t realize that).”
Ortiz has had his share of disagreements with the Red Sox over the years, but they were able to work things out to the point where Ortiz still works for the team after signing a “forever” contract in 2017.
“I’m not saying the Red Sox are the best at making the best decisions,” Ortiz said. “But it’s not like they’re the worst, either. Everyone needs to agree on that.
“The Red Sox have people, sometimes when they’re talking about contracts, I’m not going to tell you they’re perfect. I went through it. Everything has a way of being resolved. But when things fall apart, this is what happens.”
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