Picture yourself in Fenway Park. Right before your eyes, you are watching one of the American League’s best third basemen, Rafael Devers, stretch out and comply for a job as a designated hitter, a position with which he has publicly clashed. Crazy, isn’t it? Well, grab your caps because an MLB insider just made an intriguing prediction that’s making waves in Red Sox Nation!
The offseason is always full of surprises, but the lineup of musical chairs that seems to be brewing in Boston caught just about anyone off guard. Just when the burgeoning third base problem of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers seemed settled, there’s another name stirring the pot: Kristian Campbell. And get this—this particular newcomer may trigger a whole chain of unexpected positional changes.
Following an alleged dust-up between Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers over who should play third base, the Red Sox kicked around a surprising trade. It appeared at first that Bregman might move to second base—a position that he’s tried his hand at. In fact, before joining the Astros, Bregman had played 40 games at second base, during which time he amassed a very respectable fielding percentage of .985.
Isn’t it amazing how things turn in baseball? Campbell, a former no-name kid, is competing for the starting second base job this spring. And MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks, “Campbell is in line to be the first—of many, the Red Sox hope—to crack the big league roster. He’s in competition for the second-base job this spring.”
His rise is a function not only of his talent but also of the organization’s belief in his potential. But hold on a sec! Should Campbell win the second base job, it would have a ripple effect throughout the infield and the entire team. But how does it change the team dynamics?
Alex Bregman, a natural third baseman, settles into his comfort zone. This, in turn, pushes Devers into the designated hitter spot, a position he’s made clear he doesn’t want to take. Isn’t it amusing how one player’s fortune turns into another’s problem?
Infield tug-of-war: Devers, Bregman, and the DH dilemma
But how could a fourth-round pick with five college homers make such waves among seasoned pros?
Kristian Campbell personifies revolution. He absorbed the Red Sox’s state-of-the-art hitting philosophy, increased his bat speed, and learned how to read the flight of the ball. The result? An incredible .330 batting average and 20 home runs in the minors. Even veterans noticed, with Trevor Story saying, “His bat speed is just violent. When you hear it, you’re like, oh, s—.” Campbell’s ascent illustrates that hard work, coupled with some clever training methods, can take a player from nowhere to a breakout season.
Alex Bregman plays significantly better defense at third base than Rafael Devers. Bregman was awarded a Gold Glove in 2024 for his exceptional fielding. Devers, on the other hand, has committed more errors than anyone else in the league since 2018, and his defense continues to be a work in progress. This further implies that if the Red Sox put Bregman at third base, their infield defense would be smarter and steadier.
Rafael Devers is among the cornerstones of the Red Sox, who voted for him for MVP in five of the last six seasons. And gave him a princely $313.5 million contract, a franchise record. It’s hardly surprising, then, that he doesn’t take kindly to the idea of becoming a designated hitter. After all, Devers has said he wants to be playing, making plays, and helping out in the field, which creates conflict and complexity in the Red Sox lineup. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’ll impact team chemistry.
But what does that imply for team chemistry going forward?
Manager Alex Cora agreed, saying, “He feels like he’s a third baseman.” First baseman Triston Casas weighed in as well, siding with Devers: “I think it’s Raffy Devers’ position… Bregman should play at second base.” The amalgamation of such stubbornness with such talent is a nightmare for the Red Sox when it comes to juggling positions and preventing conflicts in the clubhouse.
The Red Sox’s infield is a powder keg of talent and potential conflict. But the question is: Will the Red Sox find harmony, or will this positional puzzle unravel their season? Let us know!
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