Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers recently met with team owner John Henry, president Sam Kennedy, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow in Kansas City to address growing tensions between Devers and the front office.
The meeting was prompted by Devers’ refusal to switch from designated hitter (DH) to first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury. Devers had previously been moved to DH after the team signed Alex Bregman, and he expressed frustration at being asked to take on multiple defensive roles after being told in spring training that he would strictly be a DH.
Manager Alex Cora described the meeting as “productive,” acknowledging that Devers openly shared his views and that emotions were involved on both sides. While no final decision on Devers’ position was made, the meeting aimed to reinforce core values and teamwork within the organization.
Devers’ stance has caused unrest within the clubhouse, with some teammates perceiving his refusal to adapt as self-centered. The team has since resorted to using Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base, a solution that has not yielded satisfactory results.
This dispute adds to a series of public criticisms from Devers regarding the team’s roster construction. Earlier this year, he openly criticized the Red Sox for their disappointing offseason, stating, “Everybody knows what we need. You know what we need and they know what we need. It’s just some things that I can’t say out loud”.
As the season progresses, the Red Sox will need to address these internal conflicts to maintain team cohesion and performance. The outcome of Devers’ position and his relationship with the front office will be pivotal in shaping the team’s dynamics moving forward.
