The All-Star break offers players a chance to rest from the demanding regular season and enjoy some downtime while mingling with peers from other teams. During this period, media events take on a highly charged atmosphere, similar to Super Bowl media days, where reporters can ask a wide range of questions. On Tuesday, Atlanta Braves All-Star and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale faced questions from the Section 10 podcast team about his former teammate, Rafael Devers, highlighting ongoing changes involving the Red Sox.
Sale Reflects on Devers’ Future and the Business Side of Baseball
When asked about Devers, Sale responded with a mix of humor and realism. He joked with the media,
“I knew you guys were trouble as soon as you walked up,”
before offering a straightforward perspective. Sale noted,
“You see someone sign a contract like that, you just think he’ll be there for his whole career. But this is baseball, this is a business, and things change.”
His candid remarks resonated given his own experience of being traded after committing to Boston under a significant contract.
Context on Boston’s Recent Trades and Player Development
The trade that sent Sale away has had mixed results for the Red Sox. After moving, Sale earned the National League Cy Young Award in 2024 and maintained strong performance until a rib injury in 2025 disrupted his season. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are developing Vaughn Grissom, currently in Triple-A Worcester. Grissom is versatile, having worked out at first base and second base, providing potential depth if injuries affect players like Romy Gonzalez. However, Marcelo Mayer appears to be the preferred option for middle infield roles moving forward.
Implications for the Red Sox Roster and Future Prospects
Chris Sale’s remarks underscore the uncertainty and business reality within Major League Baseball, especially for the Boston Red Sox amid ongoing roster changes. With players like Rafael Devers under long-term contracts and others like Grissom working their way through the minors, the team’s strategy continues to evolve. These developments will influence how Boston shapes its lineup and manages key players in the coming seasons, as the club seeks to balance talent and injury concerns while maintaining competitiveness.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers have?
A. By the end of the 2024 season, Devers had made more errors (141) than any other current third baseman in eight seasons. Among active third basemen with at least 500 games, he had the lowest fielding percentage at .944.
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers make?
A. By the end of the 2024 season, Devers made more mistakes in fielding than any other third baseman still playing. He had been counted for 141 errors in eight seasons. Among third basemen with at least 500 games, he had the lowest fielding percentage at .944.