Boston Inks Alex Bregman: Will Devers Stay at Third Base?

The Red Sox made one of the biggest splashes of the MLB offseason, inking 30-year-old two-time World Series winner Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal. They fill a big spot in their lineup with a two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger. Additionally, Boston addresses a need in their infield with Bregman who was a Gold Glove recipient last season.

The question is, where will Bregman be playing defensively? He spent nine seasons at third base for the Houston Astros. Jose Altuve manned second base for all of those years, and shortstop was previously occupied by the strong-armed Carlos Correa before the speedster Jeremy Peña came along. Bregman came up as a shortstop through Houston’s farm system, but the Red Sox won’t need him there. The sure-handed Trevor Story has that position secure, and 24-year-old Ceddanne Rafaela — one of the most exciting fielders in the league — can fill in periodically.

At third base is Rafael Devers, one of the best pure hitters in baseball. Devers has been in the Majors since 2017, and he’s played all but six innings in the hot corner. He’s led all American League third basemen in errors for seven straight seasons. That’s not a typo. Since Devers has been an everyday player, he’s been the most mistake-prone third baseman in the entire AL. Swapping Bregman for Devers would instantly turn a weakness into a strength for this Red Sox group.

However, Devers has already expressed an unwillingness to switch positions. During a press conference, Devers replied “no” to a question asking if he would entertain a move to first base or full-time DH.

Red Sox 1B Tristan Cases doubled down on Devers’ take, saying “I think he’s (Rafael Devers) the best third baseman in the league.“ Devers making a move to first would potentially put Casas’ spot in the lineup in jeopardy. The Red Sox are likely going to use 31-year-old Masataka Yoshida at DH in most games.

Devers’ unwillingness to move positions is in stark contrast to his new teammate. Bregman has already indicated that he’s going to do whatever the team asks of him. “I’ll play wherever helps the team win,” said Bregman when asked about the situation.

The Red Sox signed Devers to an 11-year, $331 million contract two years ago. They did so with the idea they would be building around their young star. However, the executive responsible for that deal — Chaim Bloom — is no longer with the team. Bloom was fired eight months after the Devers deal, and replaced by Craig Breslow. Red Sox manager Alex Cora pointed this important tidbit out during a recent press conference.

Cora was asked if the team’s relationship with Devers would be strained after he was reportedly promised the third base spot upon signing his massive deal. Cora replied “Different people here, right? There’s a different leader here. Chaim is in St. Louis right now.”

If the Red Sox were to put Devers on the trade block, they could expect a massive haul in return. However, Bregman seems willing to make the move. A Boston infield featuring Devers, Bregman, Casas, and Story projects to be one of the best in the American League.