Rafael Devers stated on Monday that he is determined to be the regular starting third baseman this season for the Boston Red Sox, despite the presence of Alex Bregman.
Devers, a two-time All-Star and one of the most productive hitters in the Red Sox lineup, made it clear that he intends to retain his role at the hot corner. His comments, while confident, set the stage for an intriguing situation in Boston’s infield. With the recent addition of Bregman, the team now has two high-profile third basemen, leading to inevitable questions about how the coaching staff plans to manage the situation.
Bregman, a two-time World Series winner, appeared unbothered, at least outwardly, by Devers’ remarks.
Having spent his entire career with the Houston Astros before signing with Boston, Bregman brings a championship pedigree and defensive reliability that the Red Sox have lacked in recent years. However, the team’s decision to sign him to a three-year, $120 million contract raised immediate speculation about Devers’ future at third base. Given Bregman’s elite defensive skills, many around the league expected that Boston would transition Devers to first base or even a designated hitter role.
Bregman, who is just under a week into his time with the Red Sox, spoke with the media Tuesday afternoon to tackle the initial issue of spring training. The experienced infielder emphasized that he had no preconceived expectations regarding his defensive role and was willing to do whatever was necessary for the team to win.
However, it makes sense for the Red Sox to maintain Bregman at third base and shift Devers away from the hot corner. Bregman secured a Gold Glove at third base last season, whereas Devers has accumulated more errors than any current third baseman in the league. The defensive gap between the two is stark, with Bregman being widely regarded as one of the most fundamentally sound infielders in baseball. Devers, while a talented hitter, has struggled with consistency in the field, leading to speculation that a move might ultimately be beneficial for both him and the team.
Bregman stated that the Red Sox provided him with no guarantees regarding his playing position when he inked his three-year contract. “When I signed, there were no promises made,” Bregman said. “I was told I’d be a big part of the team, but where I play defensively is up to the coaching staff. I’ll prepare for anything and be ready to contribute however I can.”
Despite the potential for tension, Bregman didn’t reveal that Devers’ remarks created a split between the two All-Star infielders. Bregman stated that their exchanges have been “excellent” and that they have engaged in some practice drills together. This suggests that, while the situation may seem complicated from the outside, the two players are handling it professionally.
Devers certainly isn’t inclined to readily relinquish his spot to Bregman. His competitive nature and confidence in his abilities make it unlikely that he will step aside without proving himself first. Devers has been an integral part of Boston’s lineup for years, and his offensive production makes him one of the most valuable players on the roster. He understands that his defense has been a topic of concern, but he appears determined to show improvement rather than simply accept a position change.
Bregman can at least comprehend Devers’ perspective. He understands that every player wants to play their preferred position and be a key contributor to their team. The fact that Devers is willing to fight for his spot speaks volumes about his passion and commitment to the Red Sox.
“I believe everyone present has confidence in their skills,” Bregman stated. “I believe we all agree that if we collectively put in a solid effort this season, we have a strong opportunity to become a successful baseball team.”
Bregman’s comments reflect a team-first mentality, which is exactly what the Red Sox need as they look to turn things around after a disappointing 2024 campaign. Boston is coming off a rough season in which they finished at the bottom of the AL East, and adding experienced players like Bregman is a clear sign that the front office is looking to reestablish a winning culture.
As for me, I can only speak for myself, but I will play in any position that aids the team in winning,” Bregman added. His willingness to be flexible should help ease some of the tension that naturally arises in position battles. Whether he ends up at third base full-time or sees some time at other spots, Bregman’s focus remains on contributing to a winning team.
The next few weeks of spring training will provide more clarity on how manager Alex Cora plans to structure the infield. Will Devers shift to first base? Will Bregman occasionally play at shortstop or second? Will the two split time at third depending on matchups? These are the questions that will need to be answered before Opening Day.
For now, the most important takeaway is that both Devers and Bregman are committed to helping the Red Sox succeed. While the competition for third base is one of the more intriguing storylines of the spring, it’s ultimately a good problem for Boston to have. Depth and competition often bring out the best in players, and if both Devers and Bregman rise to the occasion, the Red Sox could find themselves in a much better position heading into the 2025 season.
