Look away, Boston Red Sox fans.
Rafael Devers’s introductory press conference with the San Francisco Giants was basically a nightmare scenario for any Red Sox fan. From seeing Devers in the Orange and Black for the first time to Devers’s cold-shouldered responses about his time in Boston, the reality of Devers’s departure only got worse and worse.
But one fact was the worst of all: the Giants are planning to use Rafael Devers at first base, and Devers is more than willing to go along with that plan.
Giants manager Bob Melvin announced that Devers would be the designated hitter in his first game on Tuesday June 17, 2025, but also announced that the plan is for Devers to play first for the Giants moving forward.
“That’s pretty much the way we look at it right now, a little bit of [designated hitter] and a little bit of first [base],” Melvin said.
And as for Devers? He seems thrilled to try out first base in San Francisco.
“They are the men in charge, I am here to play wherever they want me to play,” Devers said via translator Edwin Higueros.
Devers Turned Down Playing First Base for the Red Sox
Back on May 8, 2025, Devers was asked if he would play first base for the Boston Red Sox after first baseman Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury.
Devers said no.
“They had the conversation with me,” Devers said through Red Sox interpreter Daveson Perez. “I don’t think, for me personally, it’s the best decision after they asked me to play a different position. And I only had two months playing this position to all of a sudden have me try to play another position. So, from my end, it doesn’t seem like a good decision.”
Devers explained that he had been trying to settle in as the designated hitter, and felt that it was frustrating to have to change his whole mindset and approach again just a few short months after being installed as the full time designated hitter.
But now, after a change of scenery, Devers has completely changed his tune. Melvin said that Devers was just as willing to play anywhere on the field in the Giants’ conversations with him behind closed doors.
“We talked to him a little bit today, and like he said, he goes I’ll play wherever you want me to play,” Melvin said.
Devers Was Annoyed With Red Sox After Bregman Signing
Back in February, Devers said he wouldn’t move off of third base to accommodate his new teammate, free agent signing Alex Bregman.
“I play third base,” Devers bluntly said.
Devers clearly felt as though he was the best option for the Red Sox at third base, despite the fact that Bregman is a superstar in his own right and an elite fielding third baseman who just won an American League Gold Glove award in 2024.
Speculation abounds about further disagreements that could have caused tension between the Red Sox and Devers.
But any way you slice it, Red Sox fans are going to hate seeing Devers play third base in San Francisco, which they could see as soon as this weekend when the Giants take on the Red Sox at Oracle Park.
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