The Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract this winter, but the decision has sparked some debate. Rafael Devers initially stated that he would not be the designated hitter and that “third base is (his) position,” according to ESPN. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, he reiterated his statements on Tuesday. “I feel like I said everything I needed to say that day,” Devers told Cotillo. “I still feel the same way.”
Undoubtedly, it has also put Bregman in a difficult situation. However, he has been nothing but positive, even stating that he will play anywhere he is asked if it benefits the club. “I’m super excited to just be (Devers’) teammate,” Bregman told reporters, per ESPN. “He’s an excellent player. I believe everyone in this clubhouse is concerned about winning, and I am focused only on doing whatever it takes to help the team win. “I’ll play wherever Alex Cora tells me to.”
Although Bregman is willing to let Devers play the hot corner, he has not played another position since 2019. The Red Sox’s infield alignment will appear to be a question mark until opening day, but ESPN’s Buster Olney spoke with one evaluator who believes Devers will eventually give third base to Bregman. “He’s like a lot of us — he likes to be liked,” one evaluator told Olney about Devers. “He’s going to hang around with Bregman and his other teammates and he’s going to see how good the team could be, and he’ll say yes (to changing positions).”
Devers agreeing to serve as a designated hitter may be a challenge for him, but Olney suggested he seek advise from David Ortiz, who shifted to a DH role with the Red Sox at one time in his career.
