The Boston Red Sox aren’t exactly cruising great this season! And the off-field drama hasn’t helped either. They brought in some big names like Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Aroldis Chapman and were really hoping to spark a turnaround this season. Given they relied just on farm system earlier, this showed promise. But the real strike came when the front office ended up signing Alex Bregman to play third base.
A star player coming excited everyone except well, Rafael Devers. Because, he owned that third base spot for years. But when Bregman came, the team assigned him to the DH role. Understandably, it was a tough pill to swallow, and when things started to settle, a new twist hit—first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury.
So what now? The Boston Red Sox are eyeing another shuffle, one that Devers might look forward to.
Now, Rafael Devers could be back on the field, not at third but at first base. At first glance, it looks like an overstretch. But according to insider Buster Olney, it could be the perfect move. “The more I thought about Devers at first base mid-season, the more it made sense…… Campbell’s a great option, sure—but Devers gives you flexibility,” said Olney
Here’s the logic: shifting Devers to first opens up the designated hitter spot. This means that Alex Cora can use it to rest someone like Jarren Duran when he’s all banged up. “You could call up Roman Anthony. You could put a Brea with DH on a given day. It just gives you a lot of flexibility,” added Olney. And a lot is riding on that move. Devers is in the third year of a ten-year $313.5 million contract that runs through 2033. That kind of investment doesn’t sit well on the neck as a full-time DH. Especially when the player in question is just 28 years old and still in his prime.
If he stays locked into the DH role, his athleticism could fade before its time. That spot is usually for aging vets, not stars in their prime. And if you ever doubted him, his recent game might change your mind.
Rafael Devers goes deep as Red Sox blank Rangers
Rafael Devers had himself a day on Thursday afternoon, launching a home run and driving in two runs as the Boston Red Sox shut out the Texas Rangers 5-0 at Fenway. The blast, his sixth of the season, landed in the Green Monster seats in the seventh inning. But his work started earlier with an EBI single in the fifth.
Carlos Narvaez also chipped in with an RBI knock, helping Boston take two out of three from the Texas Rangers in the series. On the mound, it was a complete team effort. Bryan Bello started strong but ran into control issues. Still, he managed to lower his ERA to 1.10 in three home starts this year. Once Bello exited, the bullpen took over and didn’t miss a beat after. Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Liam Hendricks locked it.
The Texas Rangers, meanwhile, couldn’t get much going. Rookie Jack Leiter gave up four runs in 5.1 innings, including four walks and a wild pitch that helped the Boston Red Sox jump out to a 2-0 lead in the second. Trevor Story scored the first run after singling and advancing on a wild pitch, and Duran brought in another with a groundout.
Tucker Barnhart tried to spark something for the Rangers, but it was not enough. Texas has now lost nine of its last 12. How do you think of Devers’ gameplay? Let us know your thoughts.
The post Alex Cora Told Not to Block Rafael Devers’ Return to the Field, as Insider Backs His Establishment as a Baseman appeared first on EssentiallySports.
