Rafael Devers faced significant challenges at the start of the season with the Boston Red Sox after the team signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, necessitating Devers’s move from third base to the designated hitter role. This change required a difficult adjustment for Devers, who was accustomed to playing in the infield. When the Red Sox later proposed that he shift to first base, Devers resisted, but after being traded to the San Francisco Giants—who also wanted him at first base—he eventually accepted the new position.
After his debut at first base with the Giants on Tuesday, Devers discussed the struggle of adapting to a spot he had not anticipated filling but acknowledged it was necessary to remain an active part of the lineup.
“Definitely. It keeps me active — it keeps my head out of just thinking about the next at-bat,” Devers said.
“I’m the kind of player that likes to be active, likes to be on the field. I’d rather be on the field than in the cage hitting all the time and just thinking about the next at-bat.”
Devers Shows Strong Performance Despite Position Change
During his first game at first base, Rafael Devers impressed both defensively and offensively. He handled every defensive opportunity smoothly, contributing to a dominant 9-0 victory. At the plate, Devers went two-for-five, drove in one run, and crossed the plate twice, demonstrating his ability to remain productive despite the positional change.
Reasons Behind Devers’s Departure from the Red Sox
Devers initially wanted to continue playing third base but was forced to accommodate the arrival of Alex Bregman by moving to the designated hitter role. However, when the Red Sox lost first baseman Triston Casas to a season-ending injury, Boston turned to Devers about taking over first base. Devers was reluctant to accept this new role, as it conflicted with the conditions established during spring training, which had limited him to DH duties after switching from third base just a few months earlier.
“They had the conversation with me,” Devers said through his interpreter Daveson Perez via MLB.com. “I don’t think, for me personally, it’s the best decision after they asked me to play a different position (in Spring Training). And I only had two months playing this position to all of a sudden have me try to play another position.”
“So, from my end, it doesn’t seem like a good decision. They came to me and talked to me about it. I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In Spring Training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove and I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH.”
The Trade Deal That Ended Devers’s Time with Boston
Due to the positional disagreements and team dynamics, the Red Sox made the decision to trade Rafael Devers in June. The Giants acquired Devers and his hefty $313.5 million contract in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, and two prospects: outfielder James Tibbs III, who was ranked as the Giants’ No. 4 prospect at the time, and right-handed pitcher Jose Bello.
Significance of Devers’s Adjustment and Its Future Implications
Rafael Devers’s shift to first base marks a major transition in his professional career, as his preferred position was third base. His willingness to embrace first base, despite initial reservations, shows his dedication to staying on the field and contributing to his new team’s success. How Devers continues to develop at first base will be crucial for the Giants, as they navigate integrating a star slugger who once resisted positional changes. This adaptation may also influence future decisions regarding his playtime and the role he fills in San Francisco.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers have?
A. By the end of the 2024 season, Devers held the record for the most errors by any current third baseman with 141 over eight seasons. Among active third basemen with at least 500 games played, he also had the lowest fielding percentage at .944.
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers make?
A. By the close of the 2024 season, Devers had made the most career errors (141) among current third basemen over eight seasons. His fielding percentage was the lowest (.944) for active third basemen with at least 500 games played.