The tension between Rafael Devers and the Red Sox seems to be intensifying rather than cooling down. With each passing day, the issue is brought closer to a boiling point. Well, what initially appeared to be a minor disagreement has now evolved into a public saga. Now, it is drawing the attention of not only fans but also major figures within the baseball community.

This time, it’s not just the front office or the media stirring the pot; a renowned MLB analyst has taken it upon himself to give Devers a much-needed reality check. It is also reported that public sentiment is quickly turning against the star player over his adamant approach. As the situation unfolds, it’s becoming clear that this is no longer just a contract dispute or positional change, but it’s a deeper issue with significant implications for both Devers’ career and the Red Sox’s future.

“Devers loses this one because, ultimately, he’s not paid to play third base, he’s paid to play baseball. As the club’s highest-paid player, it is his obligation to do what’s best for the team,” MLB insider Brian Kenny said.

You surely know how Devers has expressed frustration with the current situation in Boston. But Kenny didn’t hold back in offering a dose of tough love. According to Kenny, Devers has little choice but to adapt to the team’s direction. Moreover, he criticized Devers for his stance, referencing his contract and pointing out that the third baseman has shown inconsistency over the years (Highest errors from the third base).

Kenny argued that Devers seems disconnected from the broader picture and reminded viewers that Devers is paid to play baseball. As one of the highest-paid players on the Red Sox roster, Kenny emphasized that it’s Devers’s responsibility to adjust, regardless of personal discomfort. To strengthen his point, Kenny compared Devers’s contract with those of players like Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet. He has suggested that others with significant contracts have found ways to adapt to their teams’ evolving needs. So, the highest contract holder of the Red Sox should be flexible enough to offer better utility to the team.

However, while Kenny’s critique rings true in many respects, it’s also worth noting that Devers, unlike some others, isn’t a utility player, making flexibility a bit more complicated in his case.

Rollercoaster ride of Devers this year

Devers’ role has been a focal point of the Red Sox’s clubhouse discussions. His journey from being the Red Sox’s staple third baseman to relocating as a DH and now to first base is a good case study for budding utility players. Alas, Devers is not a utility player, and here’s the issue.

After a challenging start this year, going 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts in his first five games, Devers has significantly improved. For starters, over his last 13 games, he’s batting .365, raising his season average to .253. His current slash line stands at .253/.374/.447, with 6 home runs, 26 RBIs, and an OPS of .821. Now, that’s something you can ignore. 

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Moreover, the Thursday game against the Rangers witnessed another brilliance of Rafael Devers. He powered the Red Sox past the Rangers with a home run and two RBIs, leading the team to a 5-0 shutout victory on Thursday. Additionally, Devers belted his sixth homer of the season into the Green Monster seats in the seventh and added an RBI single in the fifth.

So, just when Devers started to find his clue as a DH, a new position is what made him adamant. Yes, as per Kenner, he is here to play baseball and is getting paid for that. However, Devers still compromised his short corner for DH. A few other players, like Romy Gonzalez, could also take the responsibility of first base.

Do you think it’s always Rafael Devers in the Red Sox?