As they look for ways to improve their roster and return to the postseason in 2025, improving the infield defense is a must Boston Red Sox this offseason. As a team, they ranked sixth in baseball with plus-49 defensive runs saved in 2024, although that was thanks almost entirely to the outfield. Boston's outfield was rated at +48 defensive runs saved. The infield is the weak point.
So it's no surprise that according to MassLive.comThe Red Sox have internally discussed the possibility of moving the long-time third baseman Rafael Devers to first base. Devers is perhaps the worst defensive third baseman in the game, failing to score more than minus-5 defensive runs in a full 162-game season. He has also led the American League in errors at third base every year since 2018.
The 28-year-old Devers is signed for another nine seasons. The Red Sox were certainly aware that he would be letting his long-term contract at first base expire. Moving from third base to first base is a natural step once a player is over 30, although a move now might come sooner than the team expected. However, Devers is a poor defender. That's the reality the Red Sox face and need to improve on.
“He’s a third baseman, and he’s going to continue to play third base and work hard to get better at it,” Devers agent Nelson Montes de Oca said. said the Boston Globe earlier this month. “That is his position. That's what he likes to play and that's what he'll play. At least in the near future he will be there. It’s hard to say in the future.”
Devers has never played a single inning at first base as a professional, in either the majors or the minors. It's not an easy position. The easy part is intercepting chest-high throws from other infielders. The nuances of the position – where do I go on cutoff plays? Should I get this ball or does it belong to the second baseman? What's my footwork here? etc. – this is where inexperience often shows.
If the Red Sox want to move Devers to first base, they should do it sooner rather than later. Give him almost a full offseason to work on it, and then a full spring training as well. Give him as much time as possible to familiarize himself with the position. Boston can't expect the Devers to show up to camp, play about 15 spring games first and feel comfortable. It's a process, possibly a long one.
Devers remains a great hitter — he posted a .272/.354/.516 line with 28 home runs in 2024 around a shoulder problem — and moving him from third base is what's best for the Red Sox, and actually also for Devers. It may not seem like it at first (players usually hate changing positions), but his defense at third base has become untenable. He can have the biggest impact for his team at first base.
Additionally, Devers' move to first base opens up several options for the Red Sox if they want to return in the postseason. Boston posted identical 78-84 records in 2022 and 2023, finishing last in the AL East both years. Last season they posted an 81-81 record and finished in third place. They have a good base of young talent and a great farm system. However, more help is needed.
Here are two ways moving Devers to first base could help the Red Sox improve their club overall.
Creates a lane to sign Bregman
From Devers at third base to go Alex Bregman would be the biggest defensive upgrade the Red Sox could realistically make this offseason. Bregman, our free agent No. 3has been very close to Red Sox manager Alex Cora since Cora's time Houston Astros' Bench coach. They are so close that they have friendly college football bets with each other.
The Red Sox recently met with Juan Soto and have indicated they will spend money this offseason. It might be difficult to outbid the two New York teams for Soto. Luring Bregman to Boston seems easier given his relationship with Cora and the fact that his swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park. Case in point: Bregman went 7 for 12 with two doubles and two home runs at Fenway in 2024.
Bregman has consistently been one of the leaders in pulled fly balls throughout his career. A right-handed hitter who puts the ball in the air is capable of peppering Minute Maid Park's Crawford Boxes with home runs and Fenway Park's Green Monster with doubles and home runs. Tyler O'Neilla similarly hittable right-hander, just had a 31-homer season with the Red Sox.
Signing Bregman would significantly improve Boston's defense at third base, it would add a needed right-handed hitter to a lineup that's a little too left-handed at the moment, and it would bring in a hitter whose batted-ball profile is perfect for Fenway Park. Additionally, Bregman is battle-tested in big games and postseason play. The Red Sox already know he can handle high-pressure situations.
Shortstop Trevor story A shoulder injury in 2024 limited him to 26 games, but when he returned in September he showed he can still play the position at a high level. A full year of story plus Bregman at third would give the Red Sox one of the best left infield halves in the game defensively. Dever's slide to first opens the door to signing Bregman, who is a great fit for the Red Sox.
Casas becomes a trading chip
Here's the catch with the whole “moving Devers to first base” thing: Boston already has a really good young first baseman Triston Casas. Still only 24 years old, Casas hit .241/.337/.462 with 13 home runs in 64 games around a rib injury in 2024. In parts of three big league seasons, Casas hit .250/.357/.473 hitter and has averaged 31 home runs per 162 games. He can really, really hit.
Like Devers, Casas is a poor defender, and the Red Sox already have plenty of money as a full-time DH Masataka Yoshida. Unless the Red Sox find a trade partner for Yoshida, which seems unlikely given his contract (three years and $55.8 million remaining), Casas would be a position-less player should the Red Sox move forward and move Devers to first base.
Then Casas becomes a valuable trading chip. He has proven he can hit in the big leagues and is under team control for four more seasons. Boston could use Devers first and then trade Casas for some much-needed pitching. High-end pitching too, not just a back-of-the-rotation innings-eater and bullpen arm. Casas could be a blockbuster trade.
One team immediately comes to mind as a possible trading partner: Seattle Mariners. The Mariners rely on constant offense, have a chance at first base, and their rotation is one of the best in the game. Would Seattle part with a starter (Bryce Miller? Bryan Woo?) to bring in Casas and then fill those innings with a free agent signing? You should at least think about it, right?
The Tampa Bay Rays are another possibility, although trading within a division can be difficult. The Pittsburgh Pirates I desperately need a big first base bat. They won't move Paul Skenes or Jared Jonesbut maybe something can be sorted out. What about Sandy Alcantara? That would Miami Marlins Would you like to trade Alcantara for Casas? Maybe you should just call and ask, right?
No matter what happens to Devers, It's likely the Red Sox will move their bat this offseason. They are very left-leaning and need to balance their lineup. Devers is a lefty and he's not going anywhere. Casas and Yoshida are also left-handed. That's what they are Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duranand top prospects Roman Anthony, Marcelo MayerAnd Kyle Teel. Boston has lefties left.
You don't have to try too hard to imagine a scenario in which the Red Sox move Devers to first base, sign Bregman at third base and trade Casas for a front-line starter. This will greatly improve their defense, improve rotation, and add a bit of right/left balance to the lineup. The ripple effect of moving Devers to first base could be significant.