Red Sox owner steps in amid Rafael Devers position dispute

The Boston Red Sox are attempting to extinguish a brewing controversy before it escalates further. At the center of the storm: Rafael Devers, and the organization’s evolving plans for his defensive role.

What began as a seemingly routine shift—Devers transitioning from third base to designated hitter following the high-profile signing of Alex Bregman—has spiraled into a source of tension. Boston’s latest proposal? Another switch, this time to first base. And Devers isn’t on board.

The pushback became public on Thursday, when the two-time All-Star openly dismissed the suggestion and appeared to call out Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow, raising eyebrows across the league. The moment was significant enough to prompt team owner John Henry to fly to Kansas City for a face-to-face meeting with Devers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“Rafael expressed his feelings. John did the same,” said manager Alex Cora, according to SI.com. “The goal remains the same—we’re trying to achieve something big here. There have been roster changes, and with that, players sometimes have to adjust.”

From Breslow’s perspective, the meeting served as “an honest conversation about what we value as an organization and what we believe is important to the Boston Red Sox.”

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after hitting a one-run home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on May 08, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Devers’ importance to Boston

At 20–19, Boston sits in second place in the AL East, trailing the New York Yankees by two games. Amid that chase, Devers remains a key piece of the puzzle. Locked in through the 2033 season, the 27-year-old is currently slashing .255/.379/.455 with six home runs and 25 RBIs.

see also

Red Sox’s Rafael Devers sends clear message to Boston’s front office amid growing frustration

His offensive contributions are not in question—his consistency at the plate has been one of the few constants in Boston’s evolving lineup. But how the club utilizes him defensively moving forward is clearly still up for debate.

What’s next for Dever and Boston?

Whether the ownership’s involvement will ease tensions or lead to a new compromise remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Boston knows it cannot afford internal friction with its franchise cornerstone—not when postseason aspirations hang in the balance.