A lot has happened in Boston ever since the ongoing drama surrounding the Boston Red Sox and one of their players surfaced. The Red Sox wanted Rafael Devers to play first base, which Devers is not open to learning in the wake of the season-ending injury of Triston Casas. Now, amid the split between the player and the team regarding the change in position, veteran players are “not happy” with Devers’ complaints. But one of his teammates, a $38.5 million star, has decided to go against the narrative.
Ever since the Red Sox’s starting first baseman, Triston Casas, was out due to tearing his patellar tendon, the club has been looking for a replacement. Although manager Alex Cora revealed that he had no plan to ask the designated hitter Rafael Devers to play first base, Devers’ teammates are not satisfied with Devers’ answer, according to Christopher Smith of Mass Live. “One reporter told me that one of Deevers’ teammates told him to ‘just stop’ talking. We’ve also at MassLive learnt that veteran players—players who have been around the league a long time—were not happy with the situation, with his inflexibility and the way he brought it out publicly.”
However, amid all this drama, Lucas Giolito has shared his true feelings for Rafael Devers. Considering that Devers’ performance was a key aspect in the Red Sox’s victory against the Kansas City Royals, Giolito said, “I’m glad he’s on my team and I don’t have to pitch to him anymore. He’s an incredible hitter and we’re very lucky to have him.” And it’s true—Rafael Devers succeeded with the long ball on Sunday, blasting a two-run hit to centre field that reached up to 440 feet, marking it as the game-winning hit in the Red Sox’s 3-1 victory against the Royals.
In the midst of the engulfing drama, the Boston Red Sox star broke records in addition to shining as a ray of relief. His couple of swings were the first and third longest home runs for the club this season. Not to forget that it was well supported by his teammate, Lucas Giolito, who managed to allow only two hits with an unearned run across the 6 2/3 innings he pitched.
It’s also a sigh of relief for the Red Sox, as after starting slow this year, where he went 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts, he has finally gotten back his rhythm. He averages .319 with a .429 OBP and a .559 OPS, hitting seven home runs and 30 runs at bat. However, things aren’t going well for Devers at the moment, as the team is trying to play him at different positions.
Is Rafael Devers eyeing a trade by the Red Sox amid the 1B drama?
Well, it’s too early to confirm anything. However, this isn’t the first time Rafael Devers has been asked to change positions. If you remember, when the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in the offseason, questions arose about where Devers is going to play. “Third base is my position. It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of, what my desires were, and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.” He even clearly said “no” when asked about moving to the designated hitter position. However, he ended up in the DH position and the drama subsided. But that didn’t end here!
Now with Triston Casas’ injury, the team again approached him to move to the first base position. As expected, his response was the same. “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove. I wasn’t going to play another position other than DH”. He further specified that it wouldn’t be the right decision if they wanted Deevers to shift to another position yet again.
Now, with some believing that the Red Sox may part ways with him in the near future, MLB insider Bob Nightengale said, “The next step could be Devers formally requesting a trade, which likely would not be strongly considered until the offseason.” While we need to wait to see the result till then, Devers will likely focus on his hitting and make sure that he contributes to his potential for the team.
Do you think Rafael Devers may get traded by the Boston Red Sox?
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