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What Alex Bregman had to say about Rafael Devers, third base, and his new Red Sox teammates
Bregman offered a humorous anecdote after facing flame-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman.
Alex Bregman’s initial comments on being with the Red Sox: Ex-Astros third baseman Alex Bregman signed with the Red Sox as a free agent less than a week ago, yet he’s already found himself in the middle of a potential Boston subplot.
Bregman, 30, won a Gold Glove Award while playing third base in 2024, though the existing presence of Red Sox franchise player Rafael Devers at the position complicates things. Adding to the potential sticking point is that Devers said on Monday that “third base is my position.”
Fellow Boston infielder Triston Casas supported Devers’ comments.
“I think he’s the third baseman,” said Casas. “And at that point, that’s where it stands.”
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On Tuesday, Bregman caught up with reporters, attempting to dismiss the notion of a brewing controversy.
“I’m super excited to just be his teammate,” Bregman said of Devers. “He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning. Whatever it takes to help the team win, that’s all I’m focused on. I’ll play wherever [Alex Cora] tells me to play.”
“They’ve been great,” Bregman said of his interactions with Devers. “We’ve been having a lot of fun. We’ve been taking ground balls back here, doing our work together, talking about winning, talking about baseball. Excited for the season. Last night, we all got together, had dinner. It was great.”
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Is Devers’ assertive type of mentality what the team wants?
“I think everybody here believes in their abilities,” Bregman replied. “I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season, we have a really good chance of being a winning baseball team. I can only talk for myself but I’ll play wherever helps the team win.”
“I think everybody here has the right mentality,” he added. “Everybody here in camp is focused on getting prepared for the season, and getting prepared to win games. We’re working extremely hard. Everybody’s getting their work done every single day and getting prepared for the season, so I think we’re doing a really good job of that so far through two days.”
As for what the Red Sox pitch was to Bregman as a free agent, he kept it simple.
“Whatever helps the team win.”
Is he already trying to get settled in at second base?
“A.C. just told me [to] be ready for whatever, so I’m just going to try my best to get ready for the season and hopefully help this team win.”
On another front, the Red Sox spring training roster is also carrying several talented prospects who could become cornerstones of the team in the future.
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Bregman gave his initial impression of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell.
“They’re studs. They ask great questions. They want to learn and be the best players in the world,” he explained. “They’re really good. So it’s been fun to just talk to them and hear their excitement and energy for the season coming up, and I look forward to seeing all three of them be stars in the big leagues.”
Regarding Campbell specifically, Bregman sounded optimistic.
“Incredible. Great person, hard worker, and then obviously you guys saw last year how special of a player he is.”
Along with other members of the team, Bregman recently began taking at-bats against live pitching.
On the topic of Boston’s revamped rotation, which now includes Garrett Crochet, Bregman cited their competitiveness.
“I’m super excited about the rotation,” he said. “All of those guys just take the ball and compete on the mound. I’m looking forward to playing with them.”
And after facing newly-signed reliever Aroldis Chapman (who holds the MLB record for velocity of a pitch), Bregman even joked about the veteran right-hander effortlessly hitting triple digits on the radar gun.
“Really good stuff. Splitter was great. He said he was going to take it easy today but then he hit 100 [mph],” laughed Bregman. “He was like, ‘Oh really? I didn’t know that.’ I guess that’s easy for him.”
Alex Bregman convo … pic.twitter.com/iYfcRHYbM1
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) February 18, 2025
Trivia: Alex Bregman played college baseball for LSU. The school has retired four baseball players’ numbers. One of them was also once a member of the Red Sox. Can you name him?
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(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He played for the Red Sox for one season (2003), and (like Bregman, potentially) was a second baseman.
Scores and schedules:
Tomorrow, the U.S. men’s hockey team faces Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final at TD Garden. The puck drops at 8 p.m.
Also on Thursday, the Celtics will resume the regular season following the NBA All-Star break and will play the 76ers in Philadelphia at 7 p.m.
The Boston Fleet will be in action on Thursday as well, taking on the Charge in Ottawa at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Why Triston Casas believes Red Sox top prospects shouldn’t open year in big leagues
- Triston Casas gives his take on where Rafael Devers should play in Red Sox infield
- Report: Charlie McAvoy ‘week-to-week’ after procedure to deal with infection
- Red Sox reportedly among ‘early favorites’ in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sweepstakes after extension talks fizzle
- Justin Turner agrees to $6 million, 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, AP source says
- Report: Donnie Wahlberg-led group is preparing offer for Boston WNBA expansion team
- Bruins will be tuning into 4 Nations showdown between USA, Canada
- Report: Celtics’ bid for All-Star Game still a possibility despite upcoming sale
- Boston Cannons defeat Utah Archers to repeat as PLL Championship Series winners
“I haven’t stopped smiling“: A little more on the Latvian star and his rapport with Boston fans.
“For us I think it’s a big home-court advantage, our fans.”
On this day: In 2018, the Red Sox made the spring training signing of designated hitter J.D. Martinez to a five-year deal worth $110 million. The then-30-year-old would go on to be a major component of the World Series run that year, hitting .330 and swatting 43 home runs (collecting an American League-leading 130 RBIs).
Daily highlight: A rare goalie goal (in any sport) is always highlight-worthy. Here’s Brown’s Connor Foley scoring from distance in an eventual loss to Boston University on Tuesday. (Foley’s celebration was also on point).
Goalie goal and the @BrownU_MLAX bench LOVES it!
— Inside Lacrosse (@Inside_Lacrosse) February 18, 2025
Connor Foley with the knee slide celly too! 😎 #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/H4Ya9sqL2t
Trivia answer: Todd Walker
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