Not long ago, Rafael Devers looked like a man teetering on the edge of patience. The Red Sox’s franchise cornerstone, who’s typically reserved and team-first, let loose during a fiery clubhouse exchange, directing frustration squarely at Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. It wasn’t just the losing. It was the uncertainty, the revolving door of infielders, and what many perceived as a lack of urgency from the front office. In that moment, Devers wasn’t just a slugger, he was the voice of a restless roster.

But here’s the twist: according to one prominent MLB insider, that anger might soon become irrelevant. The turning point? A potential positional switch that could flip the script entirely.

While Devers’ criticism highlighted a disconnect between leadership and the locker room, NESN analyst and 2013 World Series champion Will Middlebrooks dropped a bombshell prediction this week: he believes Devers could be wearing a first baseman’s glove as early as this month. “I think sometime in the next week or two, we’ll start to see him play there,” Middlebrooks said on his podcast, Sox Talk With Will Middlebrooks.

And that changes everything. First base? Devers? That’s not just a positional adjustment, it’s a political one.

Think about it: if Breslow and manager Alex Cora indeed shift Rafael Devers to first, it signals collaboration, not conflict. It says they’re willing to adapt to maximize his value and longevity. It also says they’ve heard him loud and clear, and are adjusting the roster accordingly.

Suddenly, the rant that felt like a potential wedge between Devers and Breslow could become the catalyst for cohesion.

It’s not lost on fans, either. Many took to social media to question whether Devers’ defensive struggles at third were sustainable for the long haul. A move across the diamond could stabilize Boston’s infield defense, create space for younger, more athletic options at third, and extend Devers’ offensive prime.

In a strange twist, Devers’ frustration might be exactly what propels this team forward. Sure, his comments sparked headlines and whispers of tension. But if the rumored shift happens, it’ll show Breslow isn’t just sitting on his hands, he’s listening, recalibrating, and maybe, just maybe, turning conflict into progress.

And for Devers? What once looked like a fracture might become his finest leadership moment yet.

Backing Rafael Devers’ bat, not the glove

Rafael Devers made waves for reportedly refusing to switch positions, the criticism came fast and furious. Some fans called him selfish, others questioned his leadership. But amid the noise, one voice carried a different weight, and it came from none other than Pedro Martinez. The Red Sox legend didn’t just defend Devers. He flipped the narrative. And suddenly, the conversation around Boston’s designated hitter shifted from judgment to understanding.

“You have to be Devers to understand Devers,” Pedro tweeted on May 14, 2025. That line alone said plenty, but he didn’t stop there. “If you don’t treat the player, treat the money you’re paying him… Devers does not shy away from working… Devers is not a guy that talks much, he leads by example. When you enter an organization, you sign a confidentiality agreement and that needs to be respected on both sides, the front office and the player.” In a few lines, Pedro reminded everyone what Devers represents: a quiet competitor who’s earned the right to be heard, not dismissed.

And fans are listening. The backlash toward Rafael Devers has noticeably cooled since Pedro’s post. It’s hard to ignore the message when it comes from someone who’s not only worn the uniform but defined the franchise. Pedro isn’t backing a glove or a stat sheet, he’s backing a player’s integrity, work ethic, and right to be treated as more than a lineup piece.

In a time when loyalty in sports feels rare, Pedro’s defense of Rafael Devers hits different.