Trouble in Paradise?…Again?

KANSAS CITY — The Red Sox are at it again. Rafael Devers and the Red Sox are at odds for the second time in 2025 over position changes.

All the drama started back in spring training when the Red Sox signed Gold Glover Alex Bregman to a 3-year contract and asking Devers to become a full time DH. Devers did not want to become a full time D, putting the two sides at odds for a few weeks. Devers then, begrudgingly, agreed to become the DH for 2025.

On the outside, everything seemed to be going great as the Sox got off to a 19-18 start so far in 2025. Late last week, the Red Sox first baseman, Tristan Casas tore is ACL trying to beat a play at first base, ending his 2025 season.

Obviously, this injury is devastating to Casas, but it now leaves a big hole at first base. All the top prospects in the Red Sox farm are either outfielders or middle infielders (Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer) and the organization has been reluctant to give them reps at first base in AAA Worcester.

The Red Sox decided to get creative and ask Devers if he wants to play first base, and, well, it did not go well.

This was just the beginning of the flood of quotes that come pouring out after the Red Sox 5-0 win over the Rangers on Thursday.

Yeah, these quotes from Devers are not a good look, not just on Devers, but on the whole organization.

First, the organization did not handle this well at all. They should not expect Devers to have a complete 180 after they told hit to "throw his glove away" in Spring Training. I know he is only DH'ing, but after putting up a huge fight of not wanting to change position, did the Red Sox really think this was going to go over well for them? I mean they just went through this in Spring Training and know he wasn't exactly receptive then, what makes them think that was going to change now?

On the other side, Devers should be more receptive to being adaptable to help the team. What would make the Red Sox better on the field, having Devers at first and either Mayer or Anthony at DH, or having Devers at DH and Toro or Gonzalez at 1B? I'll take Devers at 1st for 200, Alex. It makes the team better having Devers at first and having one of the kids be the DH.

After all was said and done yesterday, the Red Sox brass, who clearly did not like Raffy's comments, got on a plane to Kansas City and payed Devers and Cora a visit this afternoon before their game against Kansas City.

It was told to the media that the meeting between the two sides was "productive" and that nobody in the room, including John Henry, wanted to talk about the meeting.

This is definitely an interesting story going forward to see how these sides resolve their differences.