FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Red Sox' clubhouse is filled with players trying to establish their careers, identity and overall presence. And then there are the few who have already been there, done that.
For those few players, this coming season is about - above and beyond - the team takes the kind of step forward that makes all of it worthwhile.
At the top of that list is Rafael Devers.
While only 27 years old, the Red Sox' third baseman finds himself as one of the actual voices in the room that can take the franchise's decision-making to task if need be. And that's exactly what Devers did when meeting with the media Tuesday afternoon at Fenway South.
“Everybody knows what we need," Devers said through translator Carlos Villoria. "You know what we need and hey know what we need. It’s just some things that I can’t say, or allow. But everybody who knows the organization or knows the game knows what we need."
For Devers, the sting of not adding more impactful and proven players is a carry-over from his frustrations after a tepid trade deadline last season. That much was clear in listening to the infielder's analysis on the Red Sox' current lot in life.
"I know what a we needed last year, I know what we need this year," he said. "A lot of teams need a lot of players and additions. I can't control what they do. I just control what I do just to go out there each day to give my 100 percent and give my best version of myself and try to help my team win. But they need to make an adjustment to help us players to be in a better position to win. Everybody in this organization wants to win and we as players want to win and I think they need to make an adjustment to help us win. I’m not saying the team is not OK right now but they need to be conscious of what our weaknesses are and what we need right now."
Devers added, "I think they’re thinking more in the future. Last year when we had an opportunity to do something and be in the race, nothing happened. I felt like then they were thinking in the future, and when those opportunities come along we need to be more aggressive and try to embrace those opportunities."
After Devers spoke, it was Alex Cora's turn.
While the Red Sox manager has encouraged Devers to be one of the clubhouse leader - particularly after the slugger signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension - it was moments like this that suggested that step could actually be in the offing.
"Two things: It’s his opinion and we have to respect that," Cora said. "Second, he’s not afraid to talk to you guys. He talked to you guys for 25 minutes, which is awesome. We had conversations with him before. He likes the core. He’s probably still one of the youngest guys in the group. He understands where we’re at and he just has to perform. He had a good season last year and he knows he has to work on a few things for us to get better. I like the fact he sat here and he talked and he was open about it. He’s not a kid anymore. I know he hates to be called the face of the franchise. Call him the Carita (baby face) of the franchise."
