The Red Sox find themselves at a familiar crossroads centered around Rafael Devers. Once touted as the franchise’s cornerstone at third base, Devers is now navigating a slow but steady transition toward becoming a designated hitter. Yet with Triston Casas sidelined and the first base left vacant, the team is forced to reconsider its options. And despite Devers’ skepticism, he remains, ironically, one of the most viable internal choices to fill the gap.

This dilemma, balancing Devers’ long-term value at the plate with his defensive liabilities, continues to stir debates. Now, with MLB insider Jon Heyman weighing in, the situation is only growing more complex, raising fresh questions about the Red Sox’s next move.

“Devers, to me, should give first base a try, a lot of MVPs have changed positions,” Heyman added in his interview with Bleacher Report.

For years, Rafael Devers has been the core part of the Red Sox offense. You saw him as a power-hitting force with a knack for coming through in clutch moments. But while his bat has kept him indispensable, his glove has told a different story. Third base, once seen as his long-term home, has become a defensive battleground. Something where Devers continues to struggle with consistency, footwork, and throwing accuracy.

So, it might not be easy at first base, too. But then again, it’s far more forgiving than the hot corner, where split-second decisions and rocket throws are routine. For a player like Devers, whose defensive ceiling has always been a concern, a move to first could be a lifeline. More importantly, it could be the key to extending his value to the franchise!

“A-rod, multiple MVPs, went to third base, now of course, that was to go get to the Yankees.” Heyman also added that Alex Rodriguez famously moved off shortstop when he joined the Yankees. A future Hall of Famer willingly gave up his preferred spot to make the team better.

Now, here the message was clear: winning comes before ego. Hence, if Devers wants to leave a lasting legacy in Boston, that same humility and adaptability may be required.

Well, with his career 210 HRs and 677 RBIs at the hot corner, Devers has nothing to prove at the plate. But he can prove something else by embracing first base, even temporarily. A team-first player, willing to evolve, willing to adjust, and willing to lead by example.

But it might be costly for the team to take Rafael Devers out of the DH.

Devers is putting on a good show as a DH

Well, if you think Rafael Devers is adding no value as a DH and can be moved out, you are wrong. Yes, his start this season was rough, but the Red Sox slugger has completely flipped the script. Since that brutal opening stretch, Devers is slashing .319 with a 1.018 OPS, and well, he’s only getting hotter.

For starters, over his last 23 games, Devers has been nearly unstoppable, hitting .391 with a monstrous 1.242 OPS. He’s crushed 8 HRs, ripped seven doubles, walked 17 times, and driven in 25 runs during the surge. Moreover, in that span, he’s also reached base more than 50 times!

According to former Red Sox media relations director Justin Long, that’s an elite mark. It makes him the only player in MLB to achieve such a rare feat! A player with a minimum of eight homers and 25 RBIs over any 23-game stretch this season. And now, he’s joined an exclusive club in Red Sox history as one of just 11 players to post at least eight home runs, 25 RBIs, and 50 times on base over any 23-game span.

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While all these numbers are coming from Devers’ hitting as a DH, it is surely another dilemma for the Red Sox to take him out of the role! As we all know, it took Raffy enough time to settle into his new position. So, while the idea is good, it would be a risky move for the team to reassign a new role right when the season is going deep.