Red Sox, Rafael Devers Not Close To Extension
Rafael Devers plan to continue to talk about a long-term deal and have mutual interest in getting something done, but as of now, the two sides aren't close on anything, according to sources. Devers wants to resolve the talks before the start of the 2023 season. There's a chance Boston loses both shortstop Xander Bogaerts and Devers if they are unable to lock them into long-term deals. There's less urgency with Devers since he's a full year away from free agency. Boston reportedly has offered at or above $200 million, but there's still a large gap between the two sides. Devers' camp is apparently seeking a deal of 10-plus years worth at least $300 million. It might be a while before their is more clarity here. The 25-year-old is one of the best hitters in the game and finished with a .295 average and 27 homers in 141 games.
Source: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
The Boston Red Sox and third baseman Source: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
Rafael Devers Won't Move To First Base
Rafael Devers reportedly has no interest in moving over to first base. Devers appears to be frustrated with the front office after they already forced him off third base during spring training. Devers was turned into a full-time DH with the Red Sox moving Alex Bregman over to third base. Now, Triston Casas (knee) goes down and the Red Sox are in need of someone to play first base. Devers seems like the obvious choice, but the left-handed slugger seems uninterested in changing positions again. Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez have been splitting up reps at first base in the absence of Casas. That will likely remain the case going forward unless the team can convince Devers to move to the cold corner.
Source: Jen McCaffrey
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Source: Jen McCaffrey
Rafael Devers To Remain At Designated Hitter
Rafael Devers is expected to remain at DH even with Triston Casas (knee) expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Devers was shifted to a full-time role at the DH spot in spring training when the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman. However, manager Alex Cora was "very adamant" that Devers is the team's DH, according to Gabrielle Star of The Boston Herald. Through the first 34 games of the regular season, Devers has struggled at times, posting a .242/.365/.445 slash line with five home runs. However, under the hood, Devers has generated an elite .401 xwOBA, which suggests he should see positive regression. With Devers staying at DH, fantasy managers should expect Romy Gonzalez, Connor Wong, and Abraham Toro to see most of the starts at first base.
Source: Gabrielle Star
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Source: Gabrielle Star
Rafael Devers Homers Again In Tuesday's Win
Rafael Devers continued to pick up the power pace in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Blue Jays. Devers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 28-year-old clobbered a third-inning Bowden Francis off-speed pitch deep into the right-field seats for his fifth HR of the season and his third in the last four games. It has been a rough start to the season offensively for Devers, who has struggled with strikeouts and has produced little batting average and power. However, he has stepped things up recently, batting .231 with three HR and a double in his last seven games. Even that stretch is less than fantasy managers are expecting, but it is encouraging to see Devers trending in the right direction.
Source: MLB.com
Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Source: MLB.com
Rafael Devers Blasts Another Home Run
Rafael Devers went 2-for-6 with a home run in his team's 13-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Devers added a single and two runs scored while striking out twice. The veteran has had a rough go to begin 2025, but broke out of a 0-for-15 slump over the weekend with a 5-for-13 performance in their series with the Guardians. He's still making excellent contact, and severely underperforming his .260 xBA (.216), so his hot-hitting from this weekend could be the spark that sends him on an upward trajectory for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old currently holds the highest walk rate of his career (16.8%), and is impacting the ball harder than ever (95.1 MPH average exit velocity) and more often (60% hard-hit rate).
Source: ESPN
Boston Red Sox third baseman Source: ESPN
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