Rafael Devers

[bk400]

https://bvmsports.com/2025/03/31/red...key-prospects/

Looks like Rafael Devers karma'ed himself with all that whining about Alex Bergman's arrival. And the trade, if true, comes after he struck out 12 times in four games to start the season.

[John1941]

There isn't a single other source for that trade. Based on SI,(https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/bosto...b-history-pat3 it seems that was just a wacky proposal a writer floated.

The Red Sox have signed Devers thru 2033. There's no way they're trading him that eagerly.

[D. Bergin]

I really hate that half the articles that pop up on my sports news feed are "proposed" trades, by sports "insiders" that have zero basis in reality.

Then the rest of the article is the writer (or AI) basically arguing with themselves on why it would be a smart/dumb trade for said team, if somebody actually follows through on it.

I thought it was pretty hilarious when there was an actual "huge trade" (Luca Doncic to the Lakers), there was literally zero warning from any of the industry "insiders".

[sbfinley]

I wouldn't state Devers "whined" about Bregman's arrival. He had one public statement spring in which he said he felt third base was his position and that he didn't want to DH and media ran with it. It would have been a moot point if Kristian Campbell didn't play his way into the opening day lineup during spring. I think Devers will be fine in the long run, he's still just 28 and his 162 averages speak for themselves.

As for the trade, I just can't see it happening. The Tigers are raving about the Torkelson's adjustment this year and the Red Sox already have Casas fairly planted at 1B.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Campbell didn't play his way into the lineup though, he had a terrible spring. IMO the team had Devers to DH as the plan all along.

And I agree - Tigers are not trading Tork right now the way he is playing, just to take on a huge contract

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I really hate that half the articles that pop up on my sports news feed are "proposed" trades, by sports "insiders" that have zero basis in reality.

Then the rest of the article is the writer (or AI) basically arguing with themselves on why it would be a smart/dumb trade for said team, if somebody actually follows through on it.

I thought it was pretty hilarious when there was an actual "huge trade" (Luca Doncic to the Lakers), there was literally zero warning from any of the industry "insiders".

About as useful as "Mock Drafts" in football. Why do I care what some idiot talking head predicts may happen? How is that even entertaining?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

About as useful as "Mock Drafts" in football. Why do I care what some idiot talking head predicts may happen? How is that even entertaining?

Haha, I almost mentioned that in my little rant. Mock drafts are less then useless. It’s one thing when it’s maybe the week leading up to the draft, but they bombard us with them year round now.

[bk400]

Devers now has 15 strikeouts in 19 at-bats. Tony Gwynn had 15 strikeouts for the SEASON in 1995 (535 at-bats).

[sbfinley]

It’s been 6 days and his OPS is nearly .900 now, so… we may have been premature.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

It’s been 6 days and his OPS is nearly .900 now, so… we may have been premature.

4 for 4 tonight in a Red Sox rout. One bad week in a 26 week baseball season is usually not worth panicking over.

[GamblingMan]

I read that sporting news article. It was full of misspellings and not based in reality at all. The Sox just signed him for over 300 million dollars. There's not one team out there that would want to take him on unless the Sox floated at least 75% of that contract. There's no way in hell they could do that. Unfortunately writers today aren't real writers. The guy obviously had a deadline for an article and came up with total nonsense. He didn't even have time to use spellcheck before submitting it.

[bk400]

https://nypost.com/2025/05/08/sports...e-for-red-sox/

I have some skepticism when reading New York tabloid coverage of the Red Sox, but still. Maybe Rafael Devers should ask Mookie Betts how many positions he's played in helping the Dodgers win a couple of rings. He should also ask himself how many MVP awards he's won and whether or not he is on a $300 million contract.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by bk400

https://nypost.com/2025/05/08/sports...e-for-red-sox/

I have some skepticism when reading New York tabloid coverage of the Red Sox, but still. Maybe Rafael Devers should ask Mookie Betts how many positions he's played in helping the Dodgers win a couple of rings. He should also ask himself how many MVP awards he's won and whether or not he is on a $300 million contract.

Trying to learn to play a new position in the middle of the season at the major league level is probably not the easiest thing to do so I can understand Devers not being thrilled with the idea if he's never played first base before.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Devers.... Just play where it helps the team the most, dude! If Bryce Harper can play first base (a position he still doesn't play well even after years of doing it), surely Devers can. A semi-competent 3B can easily learn 1B, no?

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Devers.... Just play where it helps the team the most, dude! If Bryce Harper can play first base (a position he still doesn't play well even after years of doing it), surely Devers can. A semi-competent 3B can easily learn 1B, no?

Harper started playing first base in 2023 and was a Gold Glove finalist in the NL in 2024 so not sure what you're talking about. I don't know how good a fielder Devers was at third, but as I said before, trying to learn a new position at the major leagues level isn't easy. Harper worked on it while DHing during his comeback from elbow surgery. Devers would have to start doing it with little opportunity to learn the position.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Harper started playing first base in 2023 and was a Gold Glove finalist in the NL in 2024 so not sure what you're talking about. I don't know how good a fielder Devers was at third, but as I said before, trying to learn a new position at the major leagues level isn't easy. Harper worked on it while DHing during his comeback from elbow surgery. Devers would have to start doing it with little opportunity to learn the position.

What is it that you don't understand from what I wrote? Harper is not a very good first baseman, despite having played there for multiple years now. If you watch him play you will see this. GG finalist lists aren't really persuasive to me when I've seen him play tons of games.

I refuse to believe that Devers couldn't learn a passable (Harper level) first base in a couple of weeks - he's already been an infielder his entire career

ALSO: I should add that I am extremely biased about the whole thing because I want them to call up Roman Anthony. Free up that DH spot and let the kid play in the bigs!

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

What is it that you don't understand from what I wrote? Harper is not a very good first baseman, despite having played there for multiple years now. If you watch him play you will see this. GG finalist lists aren't really persuasive to me when I've seen him play tons of games.

I refuse to believe that Devers couldn't learn a passable (Harper level) first base in a couple of weeks - he's already been an infielder his entire career

I've probably watched every game that Harper had played at first base. He's one of the better fielding first basemen in the league. You may disagree, but I think you're in the minority with your opinion.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I've probably watched every game that Harper had played at first base. He's one of the better fielding first basemen in the league. You may disagree, but I think you're in the minority with your opinion.

Fielding in terms of individually handling balls that come his way? I could certainly see him being in the top 50%. Where I have seen him often make mistakes is on throws, plays involving the pitcher, etc

+... I'm not sure if you're a Phillies fan, but I'm not trying to hate on Harper here - he's one of my favorite hitters to watch, and he's an example of what I think Devers SHOULD do

[bk400]

The Red Sox management have a track record of understanding baseball, and I'd have to imagine that if they think that the lineup is better with Devers at 1B, his inexperience there notwithstanding, that there is some thought behind it.

I really don't like the Dodgers, but I respect what they've done as a team. Everything they do is unselfish, from Ohtani's salary deferral, to how 3 MVPs can be in the same lineup without obvious ego wars. You've got Mookie Betts playing everywhere on the field, Freddie Freeman playing on a broken ankle.
And you've got guys like Edman and Kike Hernandez who would be starters elsewhere, but they're happy being highly paid utility players who win rings.

Devers is the anti-Dodgers.