Article: Rafael Devers May Actually Play First Base, Eventually

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Roman is not moving to 1b. Nobody is trading a valuable 1b this early in the season. 

The two teams that stink have Andrew Vaughn and Michael Toglia playing 1b. All the other teams believe they are still in it. 

Toglia is a terrible fielder.  He couldn’t catch COVID if he licked every doorknob in 2020.  The 5’5” Vaughn seems like a plausible albeit unexciting target.

If the Twins fall off the pace, Ty France might be the best of the stopgap options…

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

9 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Well I'm talking about the continued links you post - some so obviously AI generated, I'm asking what's the point? If you don't know how to spot them, fair enough, but if you do, again, what's the point?

As for this particular post - it literally added absolutely nothing that hasn't been said in here, and offered zero substance. Each to their own, but I don't know exactly what we're supposed to be getting from it? Other than tired. 

As for if he'll ask for a trade - I seriously doubt it. But it's always a possibility. 

Umm, there's 8 pages that pretty much haven't added anything new. Why do you bother to continue to read and comment on this thread if that's the way you feel?

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Because Devers shoulder hadnt improved enough to warrant putting him in the field.

But that's not an explanation for why Bergman saw no time at 2B.

[Bellhorn04]

36 minutes ago, Hitch said:

You love a clickbait link. Why do you waste your time on this crap?

Because he's a Yankee fan, Hitch, and because he's a troll.  Only a troll does stuff like this.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Because he's a Yankee fan, Hitch, and because he's a troll.  Only a troll does stuff like this.

That's rich considering that you continually troll my posts........

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

But that's not an explanation for why Bergman saw no time at 2B.

Fair enough. I do believe if Devers healed quickly and completely, they may have entertained playing Bregman at 2b, but they never had to. I find this more believable than they were flat lying, but Im not 100% either way

[mvp 78]

The problem was twofold: 

1. Didn't adequately communicate with Raffy

2. Didn't trade either Masa and/or Casas in the offseason

I don't feel sorry for the Red Sox right now and I support Devers. He has a right to be frustrated. 

[drewski6]

Bregman to first, Campbell to third, Mayer to second

Mayer to first

Anthony to first

Campbell to first, Mayer to second

Campbell to first, Cedanne to 2b, Duran to CF, Roman to LF

Dont even care if people are moving around, or if defensive alignment is different based on lefty/righty

I dont think we should go get a mediocre "first baseman" (I dont even think a first baseman is even a thing in 2025).  We have so much talent that is ready in Mayer and Anthony.  We arent better with some Dom Smith in the role or Grissom or some band-aid.  You arent going to ruin Roman or Mayer by playing them at 1b for one year. Ideal defensive alignment is a tertiary priority in 2025.  This is a perfect opportunity to get RA or MM at-bats and looking at players through the framework of a position is dated.  People move around a ton these days. And this is first base, we're talking about.

[drewski6]

Now if you want to trade Cedanne for a 1b, fine.  As long as you are opening a spot for Anthony or Mayer. Thats priority here. 

[Bellhorn04]

9 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

That's rich considering that you continually troll my posts........

You're a feisty troll.  You always go down fightin'. 

But you always go down.

[mvp 78]

If you want an article about Devers, you do it like this:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-red-sox-are-pulling-the-wrong-levers-with-rafael-devers/

Written by our own @Davy Andrews

But it’s hard to fault him for being upset that the team went back on its word. And if you fault a player for telling the truth to the public, you should take at least as much issue with the organization that misled both him and the public. After 12 years, the team must have known Devers well enough to expect him to take this personally. And after the dustup in February, taking essentially the same tack – deny it publicly, then spring a complete reversal on him privately – borders on absurdity. Imagine being Devers. You’re the face of the franchise, you’re continually reassured that your position is safe, and then, late in spring training, you’re told that none of it was actually true, that you’ll no longer get to play in the field, ever again. Then, two months later, when it’s expedient, you’re told that also wasn’t true.

🔥

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

42 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think we should go get a mediocre "first baseman" (I dont even think a first baseman is even a thing in 2025).  We have so much talent that is ready in Mayer and Anthony.  We arent better with some Dom Smith in the role or Grissom or some band-aid.  You arent going to ruin Roman or Mayer by playing them at 1b for one year. Ideal defensive alignment is a tertiary priority in 2025.  This is a perfect opportunity to get RA or MM at-bats and looking at players through the framework of a position is dated.  People move around a ton these days. And this is first base, we're talking about.

Mayer and Anthony?

Didn't Donny Osmond sing a song about them? They're just

"too young, and innocent...

... come back when you're older!"

(or was that Eddie Haskell?)

[moonslav59]

I think Devers has quick reflexes on defense and had okay range. At 1B, his range could be plus.

Throwing was a big issue, and that is minimized at 1B, but still not unimportant.

I've always felt he could easily be as good as Casas, the worst 1Bman in MLB in just weeks, and likely better in a month or two.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

I would think it's in the sox best interest to find a solution as soon as possible.

This would stop the diva from having to continually answering questions about moving to first and relieve some of the obvious tensions.

If the orioles continue to struggle, would they make mountcastle available?

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

I would think it's in the sox best interest to find a solution as soon as possible.

This would stop the diva from having to continually answering questions about moving to first and relieve some of the obvious tensions.

If the orioles continue to struggle, would they make mountcastle available?

Devers isn't gonna be traded.  Cora will smooth things over.  And Devers is raking.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Just now, Bellhorn04 said:

Devers isn't gonna be traded.  Cora will smooth things over.  And Devers is raking.

That doesn't negate the need for a 1B. And as long as there is a need for a 1B the diva will continue to be asked about it. 

And we all know that he's not the best at avoiding controversy with his replies.

[Bellhorn04]

4 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

That doesn't negate the need for a 1B. And as long as there is a need for a 1B the diva will continue to be asked about it. 

And we all know that he's not the best at avoiding controversy with his replies.

Point is, he ain't gonna be traded.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Point is, he ain't gonna be traded.

Maybe, maybe not.

What's to say he doesn't request a trade? It's pretty obvious that he's not thrilled with management and the way they handled the situation from the start.

[moonslav59]

23 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

I would think it's in the sox best interest to find a solution as soon as possible.

This would stop the diva from having to continually answering questions about moving to first and relieve some of the obvious tensions.

If the orioles continue to struggle, would they make mountcastle available?

1. The tensions seem to be helping Devers at the plate.

2. Even if the solution ends up being Devers at 1B, he won't be there for a while. so the "as soon as possible" might be weeks. (The solution could be stated, today, though.)

 

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

If the orioles continue to struggle, would they make mountcastle available?

We can't trade Devers for Mountcastle due to this most important stat:

Last 80 games:

.741 Devers

.626 Mountcastle

(Gottcha! LOL!)

[vegasbob]

On 5/10/2025 at 7:44 AM, Hugh2 said:

Devers has arguably been the worse full time 3B in baseball the past few years.

 

i employ people, if you’re the worse at something im moving your job responsibilities and I have zero remorse.  Im sure running a baseball team ain’t the same thing but I’ve learned to always make it about the work.  
 

Raffy can’t argue with the play.  He can hit but he can’t pick it.  
 

I think he has a right to upset with how things were conveyed to him and how they played out.  But ultimately he needs to get over it and pick up that 1B glove.

But, Hugh, you are describing what happens in the real world of work, production and reasonable salaries,  not the make believe world of  athletes/celebrities/actors where everything is skewed .    These folks have been told they are the GOATS since early childhood and do perform skills that only 0.1% can do .

Raffy's ego got bruised when the Red Sox management cumulatively "told' him he wasn't good enough at 3rd base, and signed Bregman.  I always felt he  had a diva attitude but covered it with his strong hitting skills until the shoulder injuries August/Sept 2024.

Depending on the standings and realistic chance for a playoff run, I hope Breslow considers the entire roster open to trading in July if it will solidify those chances.     Screw feelings, they are all getting paid well to be professionals .

[Bellhorn04]

36 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

Maybe, maybe not.

What's to say he doesn't request a trade? It's pretty obvious that he's not thrilled with management and the way they handled the situation from the start.

Place your bets.

My bet is it'll all blow over.  

[notin]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Now if you want to trade Cedanne for a 1b, fine.  As long as you are opening a spot for Anthony or Mayer. Thats priority here. 

I wouldn’t trade Rafaela, but I would use him as a super sub and RF platoon to create an opening for Anthony.

Cora does not agree with me here, however…

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

13 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Place your bets.

My bet is it'll all blow over.  

It may, it may not.

Remains to be seen.

Doesn't change my point that finding a 1B would certainly help put the debacle in the rearview mirror sooner rather than later.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

37 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We can't trade Devers for Mountcastle due to this most important stat:

Last 80 games:

.741 Devers

.626 Mountcastle

(Gottcha! LOL!)

At no point did I suggest trading the diva for mountcastle.

Reading is fundamental!

Gotcha! (LOL)

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

44 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

1. The tensions seem to be helping Devers at the plate.

 

SSS

[notin]

52 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Place your bets.

My bet is it'll all blow over.  

Agreed.  Most likely with Devers sticking at DH…

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

SSS

It's the only sample there is.

[moonslav59]

50 minutes ago, notin said:

Agreed.  Most likely with Devers sticking at DH…

I'll bet on Devers at 1B by June 15th, at the latest.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

At no point did I suggest trading the diva for mountcastle.

Reading is fundamental!

Gotcha! (LOL)

You did Get me, but why would you want a guy with an 80 game OPS like that?