The ongoing standoff between the Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers has led to various potential solutions.
Devers is unwilling to relinquish his spot at third base, even after the team signed reigning AL Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman to a $120 million contract. Bregman, however, has expressed flexibility, stating he will play “wherever AC (manager Alex Cora) tells me to play.”
First baseman Tristan Casas also weighed in on the situation during spring training in Fort Myers, Florida.
“I think it’s Raffy Devers’ position,” Casas told reporters. “He’s been the third baseman for a long time, and he’s only improving defensively each year. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know it holds Raffy Devers.”
While opinions vary, the final decision rests with Cora and Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. A historical comparison can be made to Alfonso Soriano’s situation with the Washington Nationals in 2006.
That year, Nationals manager Frank Robinson and GM Jim Bowden attempted to move Soriano from second base to left field since Jose Vidro, a three-time All-Star, was already entrenched at the position.
Soriano initially refused to play in left, prompting Bowden to threaten placing him on the disqualified list, which would have cost him his $10 million salary and service time. Eventually, Soriano complied.
A similar approach could be taken with Devers. MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes suggests that Breslow must persuade Devers to accept a move to DH or first base for the team’s benefit.
If Devers refuses, he could be placed on the disqualified list, forfeiting his $27.5 million salary. The Nationals did not allow Soriano to back up Vidro at second base, and the Red Sox may need to take an equally firm stance with Devers at third.
While not the Red Sox’s primary plan, baseball’s rulebook does give them this option if necessary.
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