Fenway Park has seen enough drama this season, and it’s not ending anytime soon. Rafael Devers’s recent saga and the first base experiment are the latest episodes in a long-running story about roster confusion. It is not just the front office; practically every MLB insider has said something about it. This time, a Red Sox legend is unhappy with what’s happening with the roster.

Rafael Devers, an All-Star every year, was getting ready for another season at the hot corner. But Alex Bregman’s three-year, $120 million contract sent a storm in the clubhouse, and his place was given to Bregman after all the debate. He is now a DH and showing off his bat with a .287, 10 homers, and 39 RBIs. But baseball gods have their way of writing stories; this year, Devers is their favorite. The 1B Tristan Casas injury is in the roster, but how is Devers in the middle? Well, he has asked to play at 1B. One more change, and is he okay? Well, we all know he is not. And the ripple effect? Another controversy. And this Red Sox legend is echoing with the #11 decision.

In the middle of all the turmoil, a well-known Red Sox great has spoken out, criticizing how the team handled Rafael Devers’ position shift. He made it clear that the incident was “mishandled.” Pedro Martinez said, “Devers is the kind of guy who leads by example and he doesn’t need anyone to tell him how to do things.” “When it comes to first base, and approaching him to be a first baseman, I think it was just mishandled.” The words of Martinez hit home. A lack of communication and leadership has made fans and players wonder where the team is headed.

You think this was it? No, he had more to add to this situation. “If Alex wanted to tell Devers to go to first and get some ground balls until (the team gets) healthy, thinking about the future, Devers would have gone to first, catch some ground balls, and nobody would have known that Devers was being trained to be a first baseman.” A flaw in the clubhouse, or is Alex Cora at fault?

The Rafael Devers situation has caught the attention of almost every corner. Some are in support, and others are not finding it cool. And one such name is Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who had a different opinion. He said, “When you’re the man in the team, when you’re the guy the organization counts on, there are times when you have to take your ego and pack it away.” 

Only Rafael Devers and the front office know whether he will play at first base. But until then, who are the Red Sox keeping the faith in?

Red Sox’s infield evolution: Campbell’s shift and Mayer’s rise

Kristian Campbell, a rookie on the Boston Red Sox, is at the center of a significant change in position as the team continues to have problems. Campbell used to play 2B, but since Triston Casas was hurt and the team needed someone to play 1B, he’s been doing drills there before games. Alex Cora, the manager, stressed the need for prudence throughout this shift. He said, “We’re trying to teach him a new position.”

He showed his flexibility by starting in center field. But his recent performance at the plate has been a worry. As of May, he had a batting average.085 (4-for-47). The Red Sox aren’t hurrying his move to first base, even if he’s been in a slump. They know learning a new position at the major league level is complicated.

This change in strategy will have effects beyond Campbell. Marcelo Mayer, a high prospect who usually plays shortstop, has been getting more experience at second base with Triple-A Worcester. This change shows that the Red Sox are preparing for Mayer’s possible move up to the big leagues, where he might take over at second base if Campbell moves to first.

Mayer is excited about the chance to join the big leagues. He said, “I like the new challenge… I’ll play anywhere in the big leagues.” As the Red Sox deal with these changes in position, how well their young players like Campbell and Mayer grow and adapt will be very important for the team’s future success.

The Red Sox’s 1B position is still hanging by a thread, and they need to find a solution quickly.