It seems like the Giants legend Will Clark has achieved something with Rafael Devers that David Ortiz failed to do. Remember when tensions between Devers and the Red Sox were at their peak? Ortiz tried to step in and smooth things over, but that didn’t go anywhere. This time around, it was Clark who took the lead. He pushed Devers to start preparing for first base, and guess what? Looks like it’s actually paying off. But if you think Devers’ transition to first base is going seamlessly, you’re wrong.

Just a few months back, after Triston Casas went down with an injury, the Red Sox asked  Devers to step in at first base. He wasn’t on board with the idea and ended up getting traded to the Giants. Funny enough, after the trade, Devers said he’d do whatever it takes to help the team. So, the Giants brought in Will Clark to mentor him and talk about playing first base. But Devers never showed.

“Rafael Devers takes some pregame reps at first base,” NBCS reported Devers taking throws at 1B. Turns out, he skipped out three days in a row and didn’t bother showing up early for any of the scheduled sessions. But things seem to be turning with Devers’ latest move.

Yes, Devers was seen practicing at first base before the game against the Phillies on Thursday. Now this is indeed something worth hyping up, considering the fans are yet to see Devers hitting at first base. And also seems interesting considering how Clark made things possible even when Ortiz failed.

We think that Devers had no issue playing 1B with the Giants, but it was the timing that caused him to delay taking to the field. As per Clark, Devers was supposed to take 1B when the Red Sox were visiting the Giants. But it would have been odd for Devers to practice on first base with Boston players in front. But now things seem like cooling off, and Devers is turning up at 1B!

Fans can now be hopeful that Devers will be seen hitting from 1B against the Phillies. And considering how Clark is strict about it, Devers at 1B is inevitable. “But Rafael Devers, the next time I’m in San Francisco, you’re a– will be on the field at first base, just letting you know that,” Clark commented. Finally, the long saga between the Red Sox and Devers is set to end with him taking the same position with the Giants. And yes, this is not something that’s popped out of the blue, but is rather a pre-planned move by the Giants.

Devers is becoming the staple 1B for the Giants

Currently, Wilmer Flores leads the charge at 1B for the Giants along with Dom Smith. But at 33, Flores seems to be fading away from the team’s future plan. Then there’s Smith for guarding first base, but a reliable hand? The Giants had no one until Rafael Devers hit in.

The Giants didn’t just trade for Devers to have another bat in the lineup, but they brought him in with a clear plan: make him their long-term first baseman. Sure, he started as a DH, but that was just to ease him into the clubhouse and the new environment. The real vision? Devers is locking down first base for years to come. And Wilmer Flores, who’s been a steady presence at first, might even shift over to second to make room.

Now, Devers’ move to first would’ve likely happened already if it weren’t for one thing: his nagging back injury. When the deal went down, the Giants openly said they saw Devers splitting time between DH and first base, especially since Matt Chapman had third base locked down again after coming off the IL.

Hence, in his early days with the team, Devers was doing drills at first base alongside Flores, and the original plan was to get him some game action there during the last road trip. But that plan hit a snag when his back started acting up again.

The bottom line: so far, in his first 20 games wearing a Giants uniform, Devers hasn’t quite caught fire. He’s batting .240 with two homers, nine RBIs, and 28 strikeouts in 75 at-bats. Now, while the Giants have given him a clear path to a staple role, it’s up to Devers to make his presence felt. The man’s got quite a few things to prove.