Most baseball fans and pundits agree that the Boston Red Sox did well to reel in All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency this past winter.
But at least one Red Sox player has been less than thrilled, and it’s showing.
Rafael Devers, Boston’s franchise third baseman, does not appear to be enjoying the Bregman experience. The latest reports out of spring training indicate that Devers was displeased enough with the signing at one point that he considered requesting a trade out of Boston.
While it’s unknown whether the request was actually made, what looks clear are Devers’ true colors. If you recall, the 28-year-old was initially hesitant to become the Red Sox’s designated hitter when Bregman signed, which meant the latter would’ve played second base despite playing nearly all of his professional career at third base.
Now, of course, Devers is reportedly on board with becoming the Boston’s designated hitter in 2025. Winning can be a contagious feeling.
It’s certainly Devers’ prerogative to stand his ground, though. After all, he’s the only homegrown Red Sox star remaining from that 2018 World Series championship team, with Mookie Betts in Los Angeles and Xander Bogaerts in San Diego. Boston rewarded Devers as such with a 10-year, $313.5M extension before the 2023 season. That’s about as much leverage as one can have.
However, it’s also important to remember that the Red Sox were essentially pressured to retain Devers because of fan outrage in the years following the Dodgers’ acquisition of Betts in 2020 and after letting Bogaerts walk in free agency (which admittedly looks like a better decision these days). Plus, the former remains one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history, let alone just in Red Sox lore.
Perhaps Devers’ attitude will take a turn for the better once the team produces results on the field. Boston hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021 when they took Bregman’s Houston Astros to six games in that season’s American League Championship Series.
Now, Devers and Bregman will have a chance to lead the Red Sox back to glory together in 2025. Perhaps, for Boston’s sake, this will be the end of any drama surrounding its superstars.
