Red Sox/MLB 2025 Off-Season Hot Stove II - Who’s at Third?

[Johnnyduke]

Cora not backing up Devers

Chaim Bloom told him he was a 3rd baseman for life? Another reason to hate that nerd!

 

[EverettMike]

Every time Sam Kennedy speaks I want a meteor to end all life on this planet.

 

[EverettMike]

Red Sox management/ownership is so f***ing sensitive while also lacking all self-awareness. It's insane.

 

[sarge88]

It will work out.

 

[Johnnyduke]

Red Sox management/ownership is so f***ing sensitive while also lacking all self-awareness. It's insane.

John Henry is smoking another cigar right now

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Dark @EverettMike is my favorite version.

 

[Chevalier du Clavier]

 

[N o o d l e s]

FWIW

But for real he needs to get off 3rd. Makes too much sense especially if Campbell can start the year

 

[Mione134]

Brother of Klay lmao

 

[Smitty93]

FWIW

But for real he needs to get off 3rd. Makes too much sense especially if Campbell can start the year

This fits my narrative that FSG is so cheap, they won't even invest in a translator that can head off a PR nightmare.

 

[Chevalier du Clavier]

 

[RoccoF14]

FWIW

But for real he needs to get off 3rd. Makes too much sense especially if Campbell can start the year

Thanks for posting this. I think that translation adds some much needed context to Dever’s demeanor. Cora and Breslow gotta sit him down and nip this shit in the bud. That should have been done within 24hrs of the signing being announced.

I don’t think there’s a player on the planet who LIKES being told they’re losing their position. But I’d argue that most of them get over it if the team is successful.

 

[SoupNazi]

I’d be surprised if Cease gets traded at all this spring.

But I said the same thing last year and look how that worked out.

 

[N o o d l e s]

Thanks for posting this. I think that translation adds some much needed context to Dever’s demeanor. Cora and Breslow gotta sit him down and nip this shit in the bud. That should have been done within 24hrs of the signing being announced.

I don’t think there’s a player on the planet who LIKES being told they’re losing their position. But I’d argue that most of them get over it if the team is successful.

For sure, I like the passion of wanting to stay on a position but everyone involved in this whole situation should be saying nothing but that they'll handle it in house. Shit show organization right now

 

[DKH]

Good vibes are officially gone. Going to be some discourse for sure.

BWAHAHAHAH

He needs to get in shape and stay focused

 

[DKH]

That's true but are we sure this didn't already happen behind the scenes and now he's just venting in public? If he already told them no and they signed Bregman anyway I really don't blame the team for that. You make moves that will make your team better. If Devers can't get on board with that maybe they should tell him he's free to find a team that will take him on and let him play 3rd base. Seems highly unlikely any team would go for that.

Pretty sure it did - I’ve heard Cora several times and he said he’s been with Raffy a lot - he went to training camp facilities mid January usually shows up day 1 required

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

That the front office didn’t take care of this before hand shows ineptness.

 

[DKH]

Red Sox Get Bad News on $315.5 Million, 200 Homer Star as Spring Training Begins

Though they finished at 81-81, missing the playoffs and failing to get above the .500 mark for the third consecutive season, the Boston Red Sox managed to create one of MLB’s better offensive outputs in 2024. Paced by breakout star Jarren Duran who led the team in WAR with 8.7 while topping the...

heavy.com

 

[Chevalier du Clavier]

 

[22Brad Park]

I am positive I read something a while ago with Devers quoted as saying he would gladly DH to aquire Bregman.Then today I read opposite.Something is not adding up here because what GM makes this deal without being sure?

Rafael Devers refusing position switch after $120 million Alex Bregman signing in Red Sox mess

“Third base is my position. That’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear what my desires were, and yeah, whatever happ…

nypost.com

 

[McGarnagle]

Whatever, Bregman will give you good defense at second, and if healthy (big if), Story's range can compensate for Raffy's deficiencies on the left side of the infield. The lineup will rake enough to overcome subpar corner IF defense. Cora will have to be more aggressive in pulling them for defensive replacements late in games with leads.

Breslow did go out and spend a lot of money on ground ball pitchers though, so I'm wondering how much of this was actually communicated to Devers' agents before the off-season.

 

[22Brad Park]

Whatever, Bregman will give you good defense at second, and if healthy (big if), Story's range can compensate for Raffy's deficiencies on the left side of the infield. The lineup will rake enough to overcome subpar corner IF defense. Cora will have to be more aggressive in pulling them for defensive replacements late in games with leads.

Breslow did go out and spend a lot of money on ground ball pitchers though, so I'm wondering how much of this was actually communicated to Devers' agents before the off-season.

Just curious but did Bregman sign thinking 3rd was his or is he fine at 2nd too ?Defending gold glove at 3rd so it does kind of matter.

 

[Chevalier du Clavier]

 

[DKH]

Just curious but did Bregman sign thinking 3rd was his or is he fine at 2nd too ?Defending gold glove at 3rd so it does kind of matter.

I’m sure second

I would rather have Bregman be good at 2B than good at 3B

I would rather have Devers focused and driven then what he’s been 2 of last 3 seasons

Cora has been a regular on the mlb network shows and in Boston and spoke about Devers often

This is a nothing burger

Raffy will have to play self off 3B

 

[HustleB]

FWIW

But for real he needs to get off 3rd. Makes too much sense especially if Campbell can start the year

Agree completely. You play the position that makes the team best not the position that makes you happiest or brings you the most glory.

This translation was very helpful in understanding that this is not off the table. Summary, the translator says, Devers actually sounded pretty chill and open to talking to the Sox. Frustration percolated as the media incessantly kept asking about moving off 3rd. He didn't say he wouldn't but more implied he has not been asked to while maintaining he does prefer third when asked very specifically what position he prefers.

I am not a media hater, but it does seem like this is the type of problem that starts because everyone needs a flashy headline. Maybe the writers should be supported by translators rather then expecting the players to learn a new language. I mean even if you start learning a language at 19 most regular people wouldn't be fluent in a few short years. They may speak english in the clubhouse and with friends, but feel more comfortable with a translator in front of the media.

Also, if this guys interpretation is right, then whoever is paying Rafael's current translator, should start to look for a replacement who won't be so prone to add fuel to the fire.