Baseball history loves a good rivalry, especially when it comes with a side of positional drama. The latest chapter? A third-base showdown that has the AL buzzing. While one-star swings for dominance, the other crafts his legacy with calculated precision. Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman are at the heart of the debate, and if history tells us anything, this might just be the sequel to a once-infamous shortstop saga.
On his podcast, Aaron Boone’s brother Brett brought up an interesting parallel: the infamous A-Rod vs. Derek Jeter saga. But is this really the same situation? Let’s rewind.
Jeter was already the Yankees’ beloved shortstop when they traded for Alex Rodriguez in 2004. A-Rod, widely considered the best player in baseball at the time, had just won an MVP with the Rangers. But instead of taking over shortstop, his natural position, he was moved to third base because Jeter had the captain’s backing and the Yankees’ trust. It wasn’t just about talent—it was about loyalty, clubhouse dynamics, and power struggles.
Devers and Bregman? This isn’t quite the same. Devers, fresh off a $313 million deal, is Boston’s cornerstone. But when the Red Sox signed Bregman—an elite defender and two-time All-Star—it sent a clear message. Unlike A-Rod, Bregman isn’t being forced to switch positions; instead, Devers is the one pushed into a DH role. The tension here is about performance, not politics.
We all thought that the 3rd base drama was settled at least till Brett Boone brought it up on his podcast again. During his podcast, Boone compared this rivalry with the A-Rod and Derek Jeter rivalry at shortstop. He said, “It seemed like Devers was taken off guard. Now, Devers signs a contract for $313 million, he is one of the best hitters in baseball, one of the best young players in baseball, and he is the Boston Red Sox third baseman. All of a sudden you sign Bregman who is a superior defensive third baseman to Devers. And you are thinking, you got an A-Rod-Jeter situation.”
While both matchups involve two elite players at the same position, the nature of the rivalries is completely different. Devers vs. Bregman is a pure baseball debate—offense vs. defense, stats vs. impact. There’s no personal bad blood, just competition.
Rodriguez and Jeter, on the other hand, had real tension. A-Rod’s 2001 comments—suggesting Jeter “never had to lead” because he played on such a strong Yankees team—created a rift. When Rodriguez joined the Yankees in 2004, he had to move to third base, reinforcing the idea that Jeter was untouchable. Over time, their relationship became more of a professional coexistence than a friendship.
Devers and Bregman may be battling for third-base supremacy, but there’s no betrayal, no passive-aggressive press conferences—just two great players fighting for their spot.
Alex Bregman’s command at third base silences doubters
The Red Sox didn’t just make a move this offseason—they made a statement. Defense wins championships, and some hard truths come with that philosophy. The days of turning a blind eye to infield miscues are over, and a certain franchise cornerstone just learned that the hard way. Monday night’s game wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving a point. And one man delivered it loud and clear: Alex Bregman.
The Rafael Devers vs Alex Bregman debate was going on even after Alex Cora said that Bregman is going to play 3rd for the 2025 season. But after just six games this season, one thing is clear—the Red Sox have no plans to move Alex Bregman. The third base is his, and there’s no debate about it.
In the 6 games Alex Bregman has played, he has made one error but has a fielding percentage of .955 and also has 18 assists. If the gloves weren’t enough, Bregman has a batting average of .333 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs with an OPS of 1.169. While Alex Bregman is doing this, Devers has managed just a few hits in six games. He has also struck out 16 times.
The numbers don’t lie, and neither does the scoreboard. While Alex Bregman is flashing the leather and crushing baseballs, Devers is busy perfecting the art of the swing-and-miss. If this was ever a debate, it’s over now—third base belongs to Bregman. Devers might want to get comfortable at DH because, at this rate, the only thing he’s fielding is air.
The post Aaron Boone’s Brother Drops a Bold Take as He Compares Devers-Bregman 3B Drama to A-Rod and Derek Jeter Amid Red Sox’s Shaky Start appeared first on EssentiallySports.