Rafael Devers isn’t just in a slump—he is in a freefall. Never did anyone think that five games into the season, the star wouldn’t record a single hit. But this is a harsh reality! The real kicker is, this isn’t even the worst thing. Hear this. He struck out 15 times in just 19 at-bats. He barely made contact! For a player who has been the franchise’s heart, this kind of struggle is almost unheard of. But the question is, what’s going on?
The theories are simply going wild. For most, the narrative seems to be that the pressure of this new role is not suiting Devers. So he has always been a third baseman. But given that the team got in Alex Bregman, a Gold Glove winner, Devers was shifted to being a designated hitter. Some are even saying it is one of those baseball funks. But no matter what, Devers is left looking for answers quickly. And lucky for him, he has one of baseball’s greats to help him get the answers.
Manny Ramirez, a Boston Red Sox legend and one of the most fierce hitters in the history of the sport, has offered to help. Ramirez told MLB reporter Hector Gomez, “I’m willing to help him. My doors are open. I can give him good advice, whatever he needs. If he wants to talk to me, I’m here to help him with my experience.” Because at the end of the day, the 52-year-old veteran knows what it feels like to be in Devers’s position.
Manny Ramirez on Rafael Devers:
“I’m willing to help him. My doors are open, I can give him good advice. Whatever he needs, I’m here. If he wants to talk to me, I’m here to help him with my experience, give him good advice, and talk to him about what I went through. Remember, I… pic.twitter.com/Lh5ywCohf7
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) April 2, 2025
Ramirez recalled being forced to switch positions when he had moved from Cleveland to the Boston Red Sox. It was a move he resisted at first. But he embraced it later, and it was the best decision for him. “At first, I didn’t like the decision. But I realized it was the best thing for me.” Devers might want to pay attention to this. He too was hell-bent on not shifting from third base. This is the main reason; much of the off-season was spent debating, which also can be one of the major reasons for his poor performance.
Ramirez, meanwhile, isn’t the only Red Sox legend he can get help from. David Ortiz, one of the best DHs of all time, and also a fellow Dominican is also there. But surprisingly it was recently revealed that Devers hasn’t picked up the phone to call him for help. This is surprising because Devers was seen with Big Papi in spring training. At the end of the day, baseball is cruel. But if there is one thing about Ramirez offering help, it shows that they won’t let one of their own go down without a fight.
Alex Cora reveals real reason for Rafael Devers’s slump
The Boston Red Sox fans are broken. Rafael Devers is scrambling to get back to being the player he was. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is also not being himself. Right now, fingers are pointing at what really is the issue. Of course, the lack of practice is what everyone is mostly talking about as being the culprit. But Alex Cora isn’t buying it.
In an interview with WEEI, Alex Cora shut down the idea that Devers’s lack of practice is related to his struggles. “No, no, no, this is more mechanics. He’s in a bad spot mechanically. He’s been grinding through it, just not the start we wanted or what he wanted, but it’s not related to the DH.” And to prove his point, the slugger pitched Wilyer Abreu.
He is a player who missed much of the spring training due to his illness. But he just zoomed across, going 7 for 11 with two home runs. If he could do it—why can’t Devers do it? “I can say that and use it as an excuse, but I won’t do it. Our right fielder right now is one of the best hitters in the league, and he didn’t have too many at-bats in the big field, right?” So what’s the issue then? For Cora, it’s just a mechanical issue. One that the team is working to sort out. But Devers is showing some good signs. His pitch selection and swing gave Cora some hope.
Well, Boston shall hope that this funk, whatever it is, just finishes soon. Do you think the next game against the Orioles will be better for Devers? Let us know.
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