With the Red Sox’s 2025 season set to get underway, manager Alex Cora put to rest any doubt of where Rafael Devers will slot in Boston’s infield: nowhere.
With free-agent addition Alex Bregman manning third base, Cora confirmed on WEEI Wednesday that Devers will serve as Boston’s everyday designated hitter moving forward this season.
“We had conversations throughout spring training and he was very vocal about how he felt and we made a decision. Alex (Bregman) is going to play third. Raffy is going to DH,” Cora said during his weekly appearance on “WEEI Afternoons”. “We all are in the winning business and he understands that. It’s like everything. You don’t have to agree with it. … He’s been working hard not only with his swing but the routine. Of course it’s a little bit different.”
Despite Devers’ initial hesitation about moving to DH after spending the first eight years of his career at third base, the 28-year-old slugger changed his tune earlier this month when asked about leaving the hot corner.
“We spoke already, and I’m good to do whatever they want me to do,” Devers said, per MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “I’m here to help. I’ve already spoken with them about that and they know where I stand, but I’m just ready to play.”
Moving to DH would seemingly benefit both the Red Sox and Devers moving forward — allowing the star to focus solely on his play at the plate while also limiting the expected wear and tear that comes with regular reps at third base.
“Every DH used to be a position player until they were DHs,” Cora also told WEEI. “J.D. (Martinez) went through the same transition in 2018. He was an outfielder, he became a DH and you saw what happened. So we expect the same thing.
“The kid is ready to go. He’s going to hit second against lefties and righties. And he’s going to DH. I think having Alex behind him (in the lineup) is going to benefit him. Honestly, I expect a great season from Raffy offensively.”
Moving Devers off third should also be a welcome sight for Boston’s defense moving forward.
Even though Devers’ 12 errors last year were his fewest since debuting in 2017, he still posted a negative-6 Outs Above Average last season — and has led all AL third basemen in errors each season from 2018-24.
Bregman, meanwhile, finished with a plus-6 Outs Above Average last season with Houston en route to his first Gold Glove Award at third base.