Devers, Bregman, and the Battle for Third: Red Sox’ Stars Address Third-Base Drama

Spring training is supposed to bring fresh optimism—a clean slate, a new season, and renewed hope for October baseball. For the Boston Red Sox, it has brought something else: controversy.

After a productive offseason that saw Boston land Alex Bregman on a three-year, $120 million contract, a move widely praised across the league, the team’s most significant storyline now revolves around Rafael Devers and his firm refusal to switch positions. Devers, the cornerstone of the franchise and its highest-paid player, has made it clear: Third base belongs to him.

It’s a stance that immediately raised eyebrows. While Bregman has spent his entire career at third base, Devers has been the Red Sox’s fixture at the position since his 2017 debut. But with 955 career games at third, only three times has he played any other position, and just 21 career games as a designated hitter.

Now, with a battle for the hot corner looming, questions swirl around how this will impact a Red Sox team poised to take a step forward in 2025.

A ‘Non-Issue’ That Won’t Go Away

Despite the media frenzy, the Red Sox insist the situation is overblown. On Tuesday, Devers, Bregman, and manager Alex Cora all addressed the controversy, downplaying any notion of tension.

“Actually, Alex is working with Raffy at third base,” Cora said, via NESN. “The first thing he did was tell him one pointer about glove presentation and all that, and Raffy got it right away.”

For his part, Bregman has embraced the challenge. The former two-time All-Star and World Series champion has previously expressed willingness to move to second base, if necessary. His leadership, experience, and elite defensive skills are all reasons Boston pursued him.

But what about Devers—the man at the center of it all?

“I really don’t know why this is becoming such a big story,” Devers told reporters, via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “We’re a team, and we communicate with each other. I think the most important thing is for us to have good chemistry together. Like I’ve always said since Day One, the most important thing for me is that we win. That’s where I stand.”

Alex Cora responds:

"He feels like he's a 3rd baseman, he's gonna work out as a 3rd baseman, and then we're gonna make decisions accordingly… I think here, it's not about Bregman or Devers or Cora, it's about the Red Sox."#RedSox https://t.co/kSriIZJdL3 pic.twitter.com/WKpJDjTaJ6

— NESN (@NESN) February 17, 2025

For now, that’s the message coming from inside the clubhouse. No animosity. No issues. No distractions.

But the numbers tell a different story.

Devers vs. Bregman: The Defensive Gap

If this were just about egos, the controversy wouldn’t hold much weight. But defensively, Bregman and Devers are worlds apart.

According to Statcast’s Fielding Run Value, which measures defensive performance in terms of runs saved (or lost), Bregman was worth +5 runs at third base last season. Devers? -5 runs.

That 10-run gap is significant, especially for a Red Sox team looking to improve after ranking 19th in defensive efficiency last year.

Bregman brings a defensive pedigree that Devers simply does not. He’s been one of the most reliable third basemen in baseball, while Devers—despite his offensive prowess—has consistently struggled with glove work.

This is why some within the organization have considered making Devers a full-time designated hitter. But for now, that’s a move he isn’t willing to entertain.

What Happens Next?

For Boston, this storyline is far from over. The team’s best two third basemen can’t both play third base, which means something has to give.

• Will Devers reconsider a move to DH?
• Could Bregman shift to second base, where the Red Sox have questions?
• Or could this turn into a platoon situation, where Devers plays third against righties and Bregman slides over for lefties?

I’ll say it again… I think this Devers situation is a non issue and the solution is an easy compromise

Vs righties

Devers at 3B
Bregman at 2B
Yoshida at DH

vs lefties

Devers at DH
Bregman at 3B
Campbell/Grissom at 2B

That would give Devers 70-75% of games at 3B

— Matt Couture (@MattCouture5) February 18, 2025

The Red Sox have the talent to compete in a loaded AL East, but internal friction over roles and egos could pose an issue. The reality is that the Red Sox have a ton of depth, and a fluid lineup is most likely the answer for a few versatile guys on the 25-man roster.

For now, the official word is harmony. Both players say the right things. The manager downplays the drama.

But spring training is long. And the season is even longer.

If Boston struggles defensively or stumbles out of the gate, this “non-issue” could turn into something much bigger. Alex Cora will have to manage this well to keep the Red Sox on track.