The Boston Red Sox fixed several roster issues this offseason and look ready to make a playoff push.
They traded for Garrett Crochet and signed Walker Buehler to bolster their rotation. They also brought in veterans Aroldis Chapman and Liam Hendriks to compete for closer duties. But their biggest move—signing free agent Alex Bregman to a blockbuster deal—created an unexpected problem.
The Bregman addition apparently upset Rafael Devers, the team’s franchise slugger. Devers initially insisted on staying at third base despite his defensive struggles there and Bregman’s superior glove work during his time with the Astros.
Devers has since backed down from that stance. But Red Sox insider Sean McAdam revealed in MassLive that Devers’ frustration ran much deeper than most realized.
“According to sources, Devers was angry enough about the situation to consider asking for a trade,” McAdam reported. “And it’s possible that, as part of his ‘private conversations’ with Craig Breslow and Co. that he indeed relayed that. Devers is savvy enough to know the Red Sox are not about to disclose any such request, since, if it ever came to a point where a trade was seriously considered, the Sox would lose leverage if Devers was rather publicly shooting his way out of town.”
What made Devers particularly upset was that team executives had previously assured him that rumors about Bregman joining the infield were just speculation.
Now that Devers has agreed to change positions, Bregman will almost certainly be Boston’s everyday third baseman in 2025. But there’s a chance Devers still sees this as a temporary arrangement. Bregman can opt out of his contract after either the 2025 or 2026 season.
“Behind closed doors, (Devers) lets the Red Sox know, in no uncertain terms, that he’s still feeling aggrieved and disrespected,” McAdam added. “Meanwhile, to the public, he is the dutiful employee, doing what he’s told to do.”
If Devers enjoys the reduced defensive workload and the team makes a playoff run with Bregman at third, his feelings might change. But for now, even after agreeing to play wherever needed, the franchise slugger seems to be holding onto his frustration.
