The Red Sox have moved Rafael Devers to DH, despite paying him $313 million to be their third baseman just last year.
Boston announced Wednesday that Devers will serve as the team’s full-time designated hitter, with newcomer Alex Bregman taking over at third base. It’s a significant shift for Devers, who signed his massive 10-year contract in January 2023 and has consistently maintained he’s the team’s third baseman.
That’s no longer the case.
Alex Cora announced that Rafael Devers will be the every day DH for the Red Sox and Alex Bregman will play 3B pic.twitter.com/CYA4Pv5lvT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 26, 2025
“We had conversations throughout Spring Training, and [Devers] was very vocal about how he felt,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told the New York Post. “We made a decision. Alex is going to play third, and [Devers] is going to DH. We all are in the winning business, and [Devers] understands that.”
The move makes sense from a defensive standpoint. Bregman, who signed a $120 million, 3-year deal this offseason, won the American League Gold Glove at third base last season. Devers, meanwhile, has historically struggled with his glove at the position.
This defensive upgrade comes with ripple effects across the roster. Top prospect Kristian Campbell will likely now claim the starting second-base job, strengthening Boston’s infield defense at multiple positions.
The position change represents a major shift for Devers, who has played 951 games at third base since his 2017 call-up. He’s been a DH just 21 times in his career.
While his defensive role changes, the Red Sox will still count on Devers’ bat. He hit .272 with 28 homers and 83 RBIs last season. Bregman wasn’t far behind, slashing .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs of his own.
