Article: Rafael Devers May Actually Play First Base, Eventually

[Brock Beauchamp]

2 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Devers has the most errors of any active 3B in baseball and it's not close.  He should NOT play 1B ever since he has too many defensive deficiencies.  1 - hands of stone, 2 - No balance, 3 - No footwork, 4 - poor baseball acumen judging which ground balls to go for, 5- Inaccurate arm, 6 - Likely to lose playing time to errant throws leading him into the way of the runner, 7 - slow first step, 8 - horrible at charging ground balls and throwing so 1B would be even more difficult for a player who was bad at it from 3B, 9 - Terrible on pop-ups and would need to learn the reverse spin along the first base line and 10 - Slow hands could lead to a pick-off hitting him in the face.  The worst 3B of all time for Boston won't be better at 1B, he'll be even worse so burning his gloves is still a great idea.

Welcome to Talk Sox!

[Bellhorn04]

So apparently the 'Raffy is pouting' thing in spring was real after all, huh? 

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Cheering on insubordination is so "you."

When the insubordination, which I don’t call it involves being lied to you bet 100%.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

So apparently the 'Raffy is pouting' thing in spring was real after all, huh? 

I gave him the benefit of the doubt.  But I heard him whine (through his translator) yesterday….

[notin]

Just now, Old Red said:

When the insubordination, which I don’t call it involves being lied to you bet 100%.

What was he lied to about?  No one knows what he was promised…

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

So apparently the 'Raffy is pouting' thing in spring was real after all, huh? 

It was 100% predictable to me.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, notin said:

What was he lied to about?  No one knows what he was promised…

Wrong again. Cora has already confirmed what Bloom told him.

[Old Red]

10 minutes ago, notin said:

Right.  Not having another MLB caliber first baseman just sitting on the bench is the problem here.

You’re possibly the only person ever to complain about the Sox not having enough 1b/DH types..

Yes please more of Franchy Strange Glove at 1B.🤭🙈🤮

[notin]

3 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Wrong again. Cora has already confirmed what Bloom told him.

And what was that exactly?  For how long?  Under all circumstances, not even temporary moves?  Enlighten us…
 

You’ve already thrown out the hypothetical scenario where Devers doesn’t sign without the promise.  So why not put it in the contract?  After all, a contract is just a promise in writing.  And you’ve told us 

[jad]

8 hours ago, Jasonbay44 said:

You aren’t moving a hitter like Devers and getting fair value, especially with that contract. It isn’t worth moving him.

Does what he said sound selfish? Yeah, obviously. But trading him or getting rid of him because he’s mad about position changes doesn’t help the team. 

Exactly. Breslow seems more concerned about showing what a bad-ass tough guy he is; you know, like running one of the star players he inherited out of town.   And a number of would-be GMs seem to agree with him.   Of course, RS fans have a long history of turning against their stars:   Williams, of course; then Boggs, Clemens.  And, although memories seem short, a number of 'fans' fully supported getting rid of Betts.  (I assume this was because someone in authority made the decision, and for many contemporary Americans, this seems enough).

[Bellhorn04]

21 minutes ago, notin said:

What was he lied to about?  No one knows what he was promised…

Not sure why you're questioning this.  Cora confirmed it when he made his comments about the promises coming from previous management. 

[Bellhorn04]

5 minutes ago, jad said:

Exactly. Breslow seems more concerned about showing what a bad-ass tough guy he is; you know, like running one of the star players he inherited out of town.

Hand on a second.  What has Breslow said or done to suggest anything like that?  

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Raffy has always had good reflexes. You don't slug 90 extra-base hits in one season without having elite hand-eye coordination. 

He won't be Twinkle Toes around the first base bag, but Devers can catch throws and probably even be decent snagging high ones and bouncers. Compared to other recent Red Sox disasters at 1B like Franchy and Schwarber, at least Raffy is an infielder.

He'll be ok when he plays first base, which should be a reality by Memorial Day.

[Old Red]

10 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Not sure why you're questioning this.  Cora confirmed it when he made his comments about the promises coming from previous management. 

Exactly!  Once again if you heard the actual interview with Cora you would know what was asked, and what was said, and then you wouldn’t have to ask questions about it,nand would have at least a little clue of what was actually going on.

[moonslav59]

I seriously doubt any GM or manager ever makes a promise that say "forever." 

Every player, coach, manager and GM knows situations change and so do what may be asked of players based on those changes.

BTW, it's not a lie, unless the statement made was known to ne untrue by the person saying it. If the person meant what they said, but changed their mind, usually based on a changing dynamic, it was not a lie.

I know some like to invent their own meanings to words, but I think the idea was that Devers would be the FT DH, all season, They meant what they told him, and I supposed they should have, could have and maybe even did says something like, "This is what we want you to do, all year, but things can change." I happen to think that is something everyone should assume, but apparently, every contingency needs to be spelled out for some players and supposed fans of the Sox.

I'm not sure I ever saw a fan cheer on strife in a team, but hey, I'm open-minded: have at it.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

12 hours ago, Nick said:

Bregman is 2 years and 7 months older than Devers.

I'd suggest extending Bregman and trading Devers, and getting rid of his annual tax payroll of $30M.

It can be completed after the season is over. Devers is not happy with the management. Let's just hope he has a great season so that the Sox will attract several suitors.

Bring up Anthony and Mayer and sign a free agent 1B. We don't have much money vested in Casas so we can be patient. I would not give him long leash. Produce or be cut next time around. The DH spot can be rotated using starting position players plus Refsnyder.

Agreed, I wouldn't want the diva on my team.

[moonslav59]

18 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Not sure why you're questioning this.  Cora confirmed it when he made his comments about the promises coming from previous management. 

It seems weird that Brez had to go against statements/promises made by Bloom to Devers about him being the "long term" (or whatever words were used) 3Bman, and then he repeats the same mistake by telling Devers to "put his glove away for the whole season," knowing Casas is a china doll, and we have no 1B depth in the system.

I think Brez was dumb on this but not a liar.

I think Devers is not being a team player, and if he wants the fans on his side, he might want to reconsider his stance, as he did with the whole DH fiasco.

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I seriously doubt any GM or manager ever makes a promise that say "forever." 

Every player, coach, manager and GM knows situations change and so do what may be asked of players based on those changes.

BTW, it's not a lie, unless the statement made was known to ne untrue by the person saying it. If the person meant what they said, but changed their mind, usually based on a changing dynamic, it was not a lie.

I know some like to invent their own meanings to words, but I think the idea was that Devers would be the FT DH, all season, They meant what they told him, and I supposed they should have, could have and maybe even did says something like, "This is what we want you to do, all year, but things can change." I happen to think that is something everyone should assume, but apparently, every contingency needs to be spelled out for some players and supposed fans of the Sox.

I'm not sure I ever saw a fan cheer on strife in a team, but hey, I'm open-minded: have at it.

Once again I’m with Raffy on this that Brez should learn how to do his job, and go out, and find someone to play 1B. You know like an actual 1B. It’s amazing that you, and others think the only move that can, or should be made is to put Raffy at 1B. It’s amazing that is not no matter how many times you say it.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It seems weird that Brez had to go against statements/promises made by Bloom to Devers about him being the "long term" (or whatever words were used) 3Bman, and then he repeats the same mistake by telling Devers to "put his glove away for the whole season," knowing Casas is a china doll, and we have no 1B depth in the system.

I think Brez was dumb on this but not a liar.

I think Devers is not being a team player, and if he wants the fans on his side, he might want to reconsider his stance, as he did with the whole DH fiasco.

DFA Raffy then if he’s such a bad teammate and a detriment to the team. I don’t think he is being a bad teammate at all.

[notin]

28 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Not sure why you're questioning this.  Cora confirmed it when he made his comments about the promises coming from previous management. 

But what was promised?  Third base for 10 years?  Five years?  No temporary moves (which this would clearly be since Casas is hurt, not dead)?  Third base even if he bulks up to 400lbs and makes 200 errors?

What was promised?

[jdc69]

I would have to know all the motivations behind all the people involved in this. Was Devers actually promised 3rd base or is he exaggerating? Is Devers a selfish player with an f-you attitude or is it about the people behind the scenes who act like your friend in one minute and dump you without hesitation in another. Of course the fan is the least considered, but whatever.

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Once again I’m with Raffy on this that Brez should learn how to do his job, and go out, and find someone to play 1B. You know like an actual 1B. It’s amazing that you, and others think the only move that can, or should be made is to put Raffy at 1B. It’s amazing that is not no matter how many times you say it.

Once again, you create a position I do not hold. I want Campbell at 1B not Devers.

I also want the GM and manager to run the team, and not a player. If they want Devers at 1B, I feel he should do what his basses want.

Keep "loving it, loving it, loving it" all you want, but this is not good for the team and all Sox fans, but one: you.

[notin]

31 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Raffy has always had good reflexes. You don't slug 90 extra-base hits in one season without having elite hand-eye coordination. 

He won't be Twinkle Toes around the first base bag, but Devers can catch throws and probably even be decent snagging high ones and bouncers. Compared to other recent Red Sox disasters at 1B like Franchy and Schwarber, at least Raffy is an infielder.

He'll be ok when he plays first base, which should be a reality by Memorial Day.

I don’t agree with Brock’s assessment that Devers couldn’t play 1b, but I do see why Devers is upset.  He’s basically being told “you suck at 3b.”

But it’s time for some reality. He does. He’s in MLB solely because he can hit at an elite level. If he hit like Romy Gonzalez - who is probably one of the best 500 hitters currently walking the face of the Earth - Devers isnt even a major leaguer…

[Hugh2]

Devers might think he's sticking it to the F.O. but he's hurting every single one of his teammates by not willing to try 1B. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Looking at this current 40-man, most of the post-Mookie "dumb" moves by the front office are the result of players not performing.

There are and have been, however, plenty of non-moves that make Red Sox management's intellect fair game.

Raffy can vent like he did yesterday, but the worst thing he said was in reference to the "all of a sudden" request for him to play 1B. A starting player at a defensive position was injured and lost for the season... all of a sudden there is a need for someone else to play first base. 

Does anyone think for a second that if given the call, Mayer or Anthony or 18-year-old Justin Gonzales or even a minor league pitcher would refuse to put on a first baseman's mitt to make the majors today?

[moonslav59]

44 minutes ago, Old Red said:

DFA Raffy then if he’s such a bad teammate and a detriment to the team. I don’t think he is being a bad teammate at all.

Silly you. Now you talk of DFA'ing someone over one incident, and for all we know, he may end up at 1B, anyway.

Not doing what is best for the team is not being a bad teammate. Good one. One of your best.

[moonslav59]

34 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Devers might think he's sticking it to the F.O. but he's hurting every single one of his teammates by not willing to try 1B. 

That's basically it in a nutshell.

Sure, we do have other options, but it's not for Devers to demand a different option than the one his bosses chose, perhaps just temporarily.

It's not easy making traded in early May. Someone mentioned the "rental" O'Hearn from BAL, but BAL is just 6 GB a wildcard slot, and why would they help a team ahead of them in early May?

"Go get another 1Bman," right now means Anthony Rizzo.

Maybe Dalbec or Chavis can be obtained. Sure, those are better options than  Devers.... NOT!

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

38 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

 

Raffy can vent like he did yesterday, but the worst thing he said was in reference to the "all of a sudden" request for him to play 1B. 

I disagree, the worst thing he said IMO was telling the front office that they need to "do their job"

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

DFA Raffy then if he’s such a bad teammate and a detriment to the team. I don’t think he is being a bad teammate at all.

So, refusing to do what is best for the team is a good teammate?

If you believe that, I wouldn't want you in my foxhole.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

I disagree, the worst thing he said IMO was telling the front office that they need to "do their job"

People complain about upper management all the time. Devers himself implored the front office to obtain reinforcements for the pitching staff just last summer -- in other words, "to do their job."

The worst thing Raffy did -- by refusing to play 1B -- is basically tell his teammates he doesn't want to do what's best for them, to help them win.

Now, they're pros, so some of might just do this for a job. But to be an athlete is to be competitive.

Try telling Bregman you don't want to help him win. This whole scandal Part 2 will take care of itself in The Clubhouse very soon...