Breaking: David Ortiz Fires Strong Comments About Rafael Devers Position Uncertainty
David “Big Papi” Ortiz has spoken on how he feels about the Boston Red Sox‘ position dilemma after they signed former Houston Astro and reigning Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman last week.
The Baseball Hall of Famer and fabled Red Sox hero stood by Rafael Devers as the club’s “best player” in explaining what the 28-year-old Dominican native uniquely offers.
“You are not talking about just another ball player, you are talking about Rafael Devers, the current David Ortiz type player the Red Sox have,” Ortiz said per z101digital. Listen to me, that’s the team’s best player. Bregman might have better defensive numbers, I’ll give you that. But you are not talking about a “Mickey Mouse” type of player, you are talking about Rafael Devers.”
Ortiz’s defense of his fellow countryman comes shortly after Devers remained stern on his desire to remain at third base rather than switching to designated hitter.
“Third base is my position,” Devers said Monday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. “It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
Boston manager Alex Cora has yet to disclose any plans about how he will handle deploying Devers and Bregman in the field together.
“It’s too early right now to say Raffy is going to be a DH or going to play third base, or that Alex is going to be a second baseman or going to play third base,” Cora said per Browne. “There is competition here, and I think flexibility and versatility is huge for us. We have some talented guys. We’re going to take the best roster going to Texas [for Opening Day].”
Bregman, meanwhile, is open to playing wherever the Red Sox deem fit, emphasizing his anticipation to play alongside Devers.
“I think everybody here believes in their abilities,” Bregman told MassLive’s Chris Cotillo on Tuesday. “I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season, we have a really good chance of being a winning baseball team. I can only talk for myself but I’ll play wherever helps the team win.”
“I’m super excited to just be his teammate. He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning. Whatever it takes to help the team win, that’s all I’m focused on. I’ll play wherever [Alex Cora] tells me to play.”
