The inspirational Melanie Newman
BALTIMORE - A few hours after the Red Sox' 8-5 loss to the Orioles the news broke - through ESPN's Jeff Passan - that Garrett Crochet had agreed to a six-year, $170 million contract extension.
It was the same sort of distraction the Red Sox were afforded while dropping three of four in Texas, with the promise of rookie Kristian Campbell being put on display, along with some buzz regarding his own potential contract extension.
It's all promising for the future of the Red Sox, to be sure. They are doing what so many were waiting for - finding their future stars and making sure enough money is allocated to keep them around for a good, long while.
There is, however, the here and the now.
That brings us to Rafael Devers.
Even with the new display of financial might, and a whole lot of roster-induced optimism, the Red Sox find themselves at 1-4. It's a place they have landed at despite a lot going right. Excellent defense. Decent enough pitching. Standout starts from Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell.
But the reality is that one of the most important things has gone terribly wrong. That would be the presence of Devers, and his fellow meat-of-the-order hitters.
The mystery of why Devers has made history by striking out 15 times in the first five games, going hitless in 19 at-bats, is one of the more prevalent conversations throughout baseball. Why is it happening? What can be done? Will it ever stop?
"It’s like kids," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora after another three-strikeout performance from Devers, responding to a question about how he navigates his designated hitter's situation. "Sometimes you leave them alone so they can think about it. Other times you call them into an office. Sometimes we eat or have a drink or something like that. There were some positives today. There was one swing that last at-bat where I was like, ‘OK, we’re getting there.’ The foul ball to left field he was behind the ball and he actually got the barrel to it. Good at-bat, too. He walked."
"I feel good. I feel comfortable," said Devers through translator Carlos Villoria-Benitez. "I know the type of hitter I am. I know the hits are going to come sooner rather than later. It’s just a matter of time."
He then added when asked about adjusting to being a DH, "I feel comfortable with the routine I’m doing right now. It’s not a position I have done in the past so I have to get used to it. I feel good. I feel like the team is playing good baseball, but things just aren’t going our way. But that will change, for sure."
All fine answers. That part of it all parties have down. Legitimate solutions? Not yet. And, as the results of these first few games have reminded everyone, that is of the utmost importance when finding a way to get the 2025 Red Sox' heads above water.
There was a reason the Red Sox' previous game-changing contract extension was given to Devers. His skill-set is that important. Yes, you don't run isolations for infielders as one might for a basketball star, but the importance of this kind of middle-of-the-order presence in baseball isn't far off.
The rest of the lineup's production is often viewed as gravy. What is non-negotiable is the everyday presence the likes of Devers is supposed to supply. The really good teams all have it, those couple of guys that all pitching staffs are panicking over.
There is no panic when pitchers are creeping toward Devers' spot in the lineup, these days.
The Red Sox' have the fourth-worst OPS out of the No. 2 spot in baseball (.174). The No. 3 hole (7th-worst, .488) and No. 4 (3rd-worst, .340) aren't helping the equation, either.
The Sox have struck out a MLB-high 23 times with runners in scoring position, collecting just nine hits in 55 at-bats (.164) in such a situation. What should make it even more frustrating for Cora's club is that it has had the second-most plate appearances (64) with runners in socring postion of any team other than the Cubs, who have played two more games.
Conversely, the Yankees are hitting .435 with runners in scoring position, making the most of their 28 plate appearances. A big reason why (besides the "torpedo bats")? The production of their No. 2 (.882 OPS), No. 3 (2.567 OPS) and No. 4 (1.505 OPS) spots in the batting order.
Yes, there is a reason a team needs those lineup alphas. It is the uncomfortable reminder Devers is supplying in historic fashion.
"Yeah, the strikeouts are up there but the one thing - and we’ll find it mechanically - the good thing is he’s not chasing pitches," Cora said. "He’s swinging at pitches in the zone. Obviously, the bad thing is he is swinging and missing at those pitches. But there were some positives today and we’ll build from that. Hopefully Wednesday he gets one, hits it, he can breath and we can go from there."