In solving their biggest spring training mystery, the Boston Red Sox created a series of other questions surrounding their best player. The Red Sox plan to make star prospect Kristian Campbell their primary second baseman, according to multiple reports. Additional reporting indicates Alex Bregman will handle third base with franchise slugger Rafael Devers transitioning to a full-time designated hitter role. Had Campbell not won the job, Boston hypothetically could’ve put Bregman — if not David Hamilton — at second while keeping Devers at third. Such a scenario would’ve at least opened the door for Devers to show such improvement defensively that the Red Sox would consider playing Campbell at a different position, at least temporarily. But that’s not what happened. Campbell will be the starting second base and likely will have a long leash; Devers now will move off the position he’s played since joining the Red Sox in 2014. And, well, that makes it fair to wonder what kind of future Devers has in Boston. It’s known Devers isn’t happy about this. He began spring training by bluntly refusing to change positions to accommodate Bregman. Recent reporting indicates the 28-year-old considered requesting a trade amid his frustration with the Red Sox, whom he feels were dishonest about their offseason pursuits of Bregman and Nolan Arenado.
So, where do things go from here? Let’s look at four possible paths, none of which are clean. Path 1:Devers accepts and fills the full-time DH role for many years Perhaps Devers eventually comes around, takes to DH’ing and realizes it’s the best thing for the franchise. But it’s hard to see that happening, as he views himself as a third baseman and takes immense pride in playing the position. Moreover, are the Red Sox really going to pay $253.5 million over the next nine years for a DH? That seems like bad business for an organization that places a huge emphasis on analytic-driven value.
Path 2: Devers returns to third base after Bregman leaves For the sake of argument, let’s say Bregman crushes it this season and opts out of his contract next winter. In theory, the Red Sox could put Devers back at third base if, say, Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are locked in at second base and shortstop, respectively. But the Red Sox already have made it clear they believe Devers isn’t a viable short-term option at third. And if they think he still could be a long-term answer, taking him off the field for a year wouldn’t be a great way to foster defensive improvement.
