Alex Cora Drops Touching 1-word Reaction to Surprise Rafael Devers Trade Amid Red Sox Drama

Rafael Devers is heading west. After more than eight years in a Red Sox uniform that included a World Series championship in 2018 and countless moonshots over the Green Monster, the Dominican slugger is turning the page. His next chapter begins in the Bay Area, with the Giants. But the road to this transition wasn’t exactly smooth.

Ever since the Red Sox made their offseason splash by signing Alex Bregman, tension quietly simmered between Devers and manager Alex Cora. What started with a reluctant move to DH was followed by resistance to help at first base amid injuries, signaling a growing rift.

Now as Devers prepares to say goodbye to the only MLB home he’s ever known, something unexpected happens. Alex Cora has offered a parting gesture of respect or maybe something deeper.

“Gracias,” Cora posted on Instagram, tagging Devers official account. It’s a brief message, but perhaps adds one more emotional layer to a blockbuster exit that already has baseball buzzing.

While Devers is moving to his new destination, Cora is graceful enough that he made the truce. The relationship might have gone down south, but at the end of the day, the mutual respect remains. So, why not wish good luck? After all, Devers delivered some clutch performances for the team.

Well, the tension in the Red Sox clubhouse began brewing the moment Alex Bregman arrived in Boston. As an established third baseman, Bregman’s presence immediately cast a shadow over Rafael Devers, who had manned the hot corner for years despite question marks over his defensive consistency.

Enter manager Alex Cora with a proposal. Devers would move to the designated hitter role, freeing up third base for Bregman. That suggestion marked the first flashpoint. Though Devers initially resisted, he eventually began to settle into his new role.

But just as things were starting to stabilize, first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury. Once again, Devers was expected to adjust. This time, by taking over at first base. However, this time he not only declined the shift but publicly challenged the Red Sox management’s handling of the situation.

“I don’t think me personally it’s the best decision after they asked me to play a different position, and I only have two months of playing this position,“ Devers said.

Interestingly, Cora appeared to support Devers remaining at DH, recognizing the slugger’s value at the plate. Still, the damage was done. The relationship between Devers and the organization never fully recovered.

So, what started as a positional adjustment turned into a major divide. One that ultimately couldn’t be patched.

Positional challenge is here to stay with Devers

Despite his move to the Giants, Rafael Devers might still not find the hot corner. He might even face competition for the DH role.

The Giants already have Matt Chapman holding down third base. He is a defensive wizard and a clubhouse leader who signed a six-year, $151 million extension last September. He’s not going anywhere, so the hot corner is likely off the table.

Then comes DH. That might not be up for grabs either, especially with the Giants’ top prospect Bryce Eldridge knocking on the door. The 20-year-old slugger, known for his prodigious power, is already in Triple-A and is projected as the team’s future at DH.

Meanwhile, Wilmer Flores has taken over as the Giants’ everyday designated hitter. So, with the 3B and DH already booked, what’s left for Devers?

Well, that brings us to first base, where there’s an opening. LaMonte Wade Jr. is having a rough stint at first base, and while Dominic Smith has stepped in, that’s not the Giants’ long-term fixture. So, the real question is, will Devers be more flexible this time around?

While he rejected the changes in the Red Sox, we will wait and watch how it goes with Devers in San Francisco.