Rafael Devers’ nickname coming up in the Red Sox’ farm system was “Smiley.” Thursday, that seemed so very long ago.
Sure, on the field, in the dugout and when celebrating home runs - like the one he hit in the Red Sox’ 5-0 win over the Rangers on Thursday - there were smiles all around. But when it comes to the reality of at least a portion of Devers’ professional existence, there is little to be happy about.
The perspective and approach by the guy who signed the richest contract in Red Sox history is at least a little bit sad.
After trying to solve the mystery of why Devers hadn’t put on a first base glove, both before and after the season-ending injury to Triston Casas, we were afforded the reality of the situation thanks to the player’s postgame meeting with the media (with Daveson Perez translating):
Have the Red Sox talked to him about playing first base? “They had the conversation with me. I don’t think, personally, it’s the best decision after they asked me to play a different position. I’ve only had two months playing this position and all of a sudden try and have me play another position. So, from my end, it doesn’t seem like a good decision.”
When was the conversation? “It was after what happened to Casas happened. They came to me and talked to me about it. I know I’m a ballplayer but at the same time they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove. I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH. So right now I don’t think it’s an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position.”
Who was the conversation with? “It was the GM I spoke with. I’m not certain what he has with me. He played ball and I would like to think he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy.”
Why not play first base? “They told me they didn’t want to allow me to play any other position and now I think they should do their job essentially, hit the market and look for another player. I’m not sure why they want me to be in between the way they have me now.”
Will you change your mind? “I don’t think so. They told me I’m a little hard-headed. They already asked me to change once and this time I don’t think I can be as flexible.”
Were you upset they asked you to play another position? “Yeah. I don’t feel like they stayed true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH, and now they’re going back on that. I just don’t think they stayed true to their word.”
How is your relationship with the team? “Here in the clubhouse, thankfully, the relationship I have with my teammates is great. I don’t understand some of the decisions that the GM makes. Next thing you know somebody in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield. I think I know the kind of player that I am. That’s just where I stand.”
So, why is this so sad? Because, no matter how both parties arrived at this point, the belief was that Devers would be seeing this through the kind of lens all baseball players should, and usually would.
He has been a good teammate. He has been a really good player. And he has been someone all around him could rely on. It paved the way to a 10-year, $313.5 million extension. They were the reasons the organization has the inclination to at least try to make this player the face of the franchise.
But now - whether or not his teammates care about it - Devers’ intentions and execution are about as misguided as we have seen in these parts in some time. That isn’t a good thing.
We get it: The Red Sox didn’t do a great job of setting the stage for the acquisition of Alex Bregman leading into spring training, leading to Devers’ bizarre proclamation that he would never play anywhere else on a baseball field but third base. And, yes, the Red Sox seemingly painted themselves into this corner when telling Devers to put away his glove and solely get used to living life as a designated hitter. Also, probably not ideal.
“Fine, but…”
That was undoubtedly the tone Devers either uttered or thought, seemingly believing the execution he obviously couldn’t have when declaring his position of choice could now take shape in this other form. He didn’t get the hammer back in February or March, but now - in his mind - this was his second chance.
But it’s not. All of it is a really uneasy attempt at marking territory that a player who is being paid upwards of $27 million per year shouldn’t be marking.
The comments by Devers were obviously to the point and painted the picture everyone was doing their best to decipher. It's all understood that they told him to play another position and he doesn’t want to be asked to play yet another one. We get it, he isn’t currently fond of Craig Breslow. And, sure, he feels he was lied to.
But the one bit that simply left anyone listening, realizing Devers’ debate had been lost was this: “Next thing you know somebody in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield. I think I know the kind of player that I am. That’s just where I stand.”
Yes, if they asked you to play outfield, you should play outfield. That’s how it works. That is what being a baseball player is all about. Ask the guys who make the least amount of money. Ask the guys who make the most amount of money. Ask Mookie Betts. Ask Bryce Harper. Ask Fernando Tatis. Ask Vlad Guerrero Jr. Heck, go around the clubhouse and ask Alex Bregman, Rob Refsnyder, Romy Gonzalez. Better yet, ask your manager, Alex Cora.
You know what? Ask a younger version of Rafael Devers. The one who on July 25, 2017 at the age of 20 years old finally saw his dream of becoming a big leaguer come true.
Within that final quote Devers also said, “I don’t understand some of the decisions that the GM makes.” He might not understand why Breslow communicated the way he did over the past few months, but in terms of asking to play first base, there shouldn’t be any room for confusion. The player has to know that. They asked because this is the most logical path to making the team the best it can be.
But this isn’t about common sense. This is about perceived respect. And, as we’re finding out, the bigger the stage - both in terms of level of play and finances - the latter can often overtake the former.
At the end of the day, as we were reminded Thursday, the Red Sox can still be a good team without Devers moving to first base, and there will be other options. That’s not the point.
“Giving my best, always,” were the words used by Devers when answering his session’s first question about improving as a hitter over the past few weeks.
Some might disagree.