After a concerning 4-game skid, Rafael Devers seized the day at Fenway Park when the Boston Red Sox went up against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night. Devers delivered his first walk-off solo homer of his career, securing the 7-6 win against the Braves. Naturally, he had all the reasons to soak in the spotlight. However, after the game, he was flooded with questions about the first base dilemma with the Boston Red Sox.
Now, at the beginning of this season, he was already asked to move from his desired spot – third base. He was moved to DH after Alex Bregman took over third base. When Triston Casas suffered a ruptured left patellar tendon, sidelining him for the whole year, the first base spot turned into a pressing issue for the Red Sox.
Yet again, all eyes turned to Devers to see if he’s willing to fill in at first base. Turns out, he didn’t want to move again. After Saturday’s game, in a media appearance, Devers was questioned if the first walk-off home run of his career puts all the first base talks behind him.
He responded firmly and briefly, “that already happened”, that’s it. That does sound like someone who wouldn’t play first base, no matter what. And well, don’t you think that’s exactly what the Red Sox needs to do right now? Devers has just portrayed how he fits perfectly at DH. It wouldn’t be smart to move him again. Sure, he had a rough start to the season settling in as DH. However, it’s been working out well for him now.
It also gives the Red Sox’s rookie Kristian Campbell an edge to get to first base. After Casas’ setback, the Red Sox are likely to place Campbell on first base. It’s a move that could shake things up for good in the Red Sox’s lineup.
Pacifying Devers’ demand to not opt for an outfield role after giving up his gloves for DH and Campbell’s move would be constructive for the Red Sox in the long run. It gives manager Alex Cora a chance to fill the second base with Boston’s highly rated prospect Marcelo Mayer.
It was intense – the whole position dilemma at the Red Sox. However, now, if Alex Cora acts strategically, the lineup will be stacked with elite players in their prime roles.
Alex Cora opens up about the Red Sox’s plan for Kristian Campbell
The Red Sox have been all in for shifting Kristian Campbell to first base. But hold on, not that soon. Campbell was reportedly taking ground balls at Fenway Park for two back-to-back days before the team went up against the Atlanta Braves.
Moreover, we all know how the Red Sox were desperate to do some fixing at first base after Triston Casas got sidelined for the whole season. You see, Campbell is a dynamic infielder. He’s versatile and, according to Cora’s plan, all he needs is some more learning about first base.
He’s currently taking reps and will be good to shift to first base, probably in the future. However, the Red Sox won’t rush his move; they want to give Campbell enough time to be ready. Alex Cora himself made an appearance to clear up the speculations. He said, “We want him to learn the position. It’s not like he will play the position.”
Cora’s stance was clear. He doesn’t want to rush the 22-year-old. He will wait till Campbell is “comfortable”; only then will Cora make a decision. Cora also raised a concern with Campbell. The thing is, for 50 at-bats, Campbell has struggled and there are times when Campbell seems to be somewhere in between his fastball and breaking balls.
But Cora also acknowledged that Campbell is still a kid and he will take longer than other players. Let’s see what the lineup looks like in the end.
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