For the past eight seasons, Rafael Devers has been the Boston Red Sox’s starting third baseman, and as far as he’s concerned, that won’t change in 2025 — even with the addition of an All-Star caliber infielder in Alex Bregman.
Naturally, Bregman’s arrival has sparked questions about the future of the third base in Boston, given his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive players. But speaking from the Red Sox’s Spring Training complex in Lee County, Florida, on Monday, Devers made it clear: he has no plans to move aside for his new teammate.
“Yeah, I mean, third base is my position. It’s what I’ve played, “said Devers via an interpreter on Monday. “I don’t know what their plans are. Like, I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
“I don’t know how they want to go about it or what they want to do,” the three-time All-Star added. “But I know that’s the position I get ready to play every day. That’s just my position.”
Lot of people weighing in on where Rafael Devers should play this year. Including Rafael Devers. @NESN
pic.twitter.com/nzdsr4zj5Q— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) February 17, 2025
Later, when asked whether he would accept a DH role, Devers firmly declared that he would not do so willingly.
“So, are you saying if they asked you to DH, you won’t do it?” asked a Red Sox reporter.
“No, I play third,” replied Devers.
“Like I said, my position is third base,” he later added in reply to a follow-up question. “Whatever it is that they want to do is what they want to do, but I feel like my position is third base.”
Rafael Devers on being asked to DH:
“No. I play 3rd… I gave them the answer that I just gave, no.”#RedSox pic.twitter.com/uEZiCtarhx
— NESN (@NESN) February 17, 2025
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked about Devers’ comments shortly after and made it clear that nothing is set in stone.
“Like I said a few days ago, decisions are going to be made here about roster construction and what we’re going to do in the future,” said Cora. “We’re gonna make sure we have the best team possible out there. He has a lot of pride; we know that. He feels like he’s a third baseman. He’s gonna work out as a third baseman, and then we’re gonna make decisions accordingly.
“But, I think here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora, it’s about the Red Sox, right? Whatever decision we make is for the benefit of the team.”
Alex Cora responds:
“He feels like he’s a 3rd baseman, he’s gonna work out as a 3rd baseman, and then we’re gonna make decisions accordingly… I think here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora, it’s about the Red Sox.”#RedSox https://t.co/kSriIZJdL3 pic.twitter.com/WKpJDjTaJ6
— NESN (@NESN) February 17, 2025
When asked whether Devers was assured he’d remain at third base when he signed his extension, Cora didn’t mince words — pointing out that the front office that made those promises is no longer in charge.
“Different people here, right?” said Cora. “There’s a different leader here. You know, Chaim’s in St. Louis right now.”
When asked about Rafael Devers being promised he’d stick at 3B when he signed his extension… Alex Cora made it clear that Chaim Bloom isn’t here anymore. pic.twitter.com/ap9634CFWb
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025
On paper, the solution seems obvious. Bregman ranked as a top-10 defensive third baseman last season based on defensive runs saved, while Devers was the second-worst at the position in 2024.
But in reality, the decision is far more complicated. Devers isn’t just any player—he’s a franchise cornerstone with nine years remaining on the 10-year, $313 million contract he signed in 2023. And when a star of his caliber publicly insists he’s not moving positions, it creates a dilemma that goes beyond defensive metrics.
Only time will tell how this unfolds in spring training, but there’s no denying that Bregman’s arrival has turned third base into an unexpected headache for the Red Sox.
