David Ortiz Weighs in on Rafael Devers’ On-Field Decisions

The Boston Red Sox shocked the baseball world by trading star third baseman Rafael Devers. This move ended a turbulent chapter in their relationship.

The trade came after months of tension. Fans and analysts are still picking apart the reasons and what it means for the team and Devers.

Let’s get into what led up to the trade and what’s next for the Red Sox.

Rafael Devers’ Fallout with the Red Sox

Rafael Devers, often called one of baseball’s brightest young stars, had issues with the Red Sox long before Sunday’s announcement. The team’s offseason signing of Alex Bregman reportedly blindsided Devers and set things off.

Tensions only got worse when the club asked him to play first base after Triston Casas got hurt. Devers refused to switch positions.

These things pointed to a bigger disconnect between Devers and Boston’s front office. Even after stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts left, Devers never really stepped into a leadership role.

That lack of leadership, plus some communication problems, made it hard for the Red Sox to see him as their future centerpiece.

David Ortiz Highlights Communication Concerns

After the trade, Red Sox legend David Ortiz shared some honest thoughts about Devers’ struggles. Ortiz said Devers rarely responded to his advice, which is surprising given Ortiz’s standing in Boston.

Ortiz called Devers a good person but pointed out his trouble connecting talent and leadership. “It’s been a persistent problem,” Ortiz admitted, and those communication breakdowns probably deepened the rift between Devers and the team.

Statistical Snapshot: Devers’ 2023 Season

Looking at the numbers, Devers was having a decent 2023 season at the time of the trade. He hit .279 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs—solid stats, no doubt.

But those numbers couldn’t fix what was happening behind the scenes. The front office decided they had to move on from their former star third baseman.

Why the Bregman Signing Was the Breaking Point

Boston’s decision to bring in Alex Bregman changed everything for Devers. He’d grown used to being “the guy” in Boston, and Bregman’s arrival seemed to shake his confidence in his place on the team.

That moment pushed Devers further away, and he resisted Boston’s efforts to move him around for the team’s benefit.

This all shows how important player psychology is. Bringing in a high-profile player like Bregman without smoothing things over made the relationship with Devers even worse.

Next Steps for the Red Sox Without Devers

The post-Devers era started well. The Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 in their first game without him.

Roman Anthony, a rising star, blasted his first major league homer to seal the win. Moments like that help patch up the hole Devers left behind.

Looking Ahead to the Mariners Rematch

Boston still has to keep their momentum as they get ready for Tuesday night’s rematch with the Mariners. Anthony’s big moment was great, but can the Red Sox keep their playoff hopes alive without one of their top hitters?

What This Means for Rafael Devers

Devers now steps into a new chapter, and the spotlight’s only going to get brighter. He’s known for his bat, but now people want to see if he can adapt, lead, and lift his game somewhere new.

If he fixes the communication issues Ortiz mentioned, Devers could thrive and build on his reputation as one of baseball’s elite. But nobody really knows how this will play out.

Final Thoughts

The Rafael Devers trade is one of those moves that’ll spark debate for years. For the Red Sox, it’s a shot to reset and start building a more connected clubhouse.

For Devers, it’s about showing he can handle tough situations and stand out in a new role. Who knows—maybe these surprising trades are what both the player and the team need to really move forward.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Boston Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Says Rafael Devers Didn’t Take His Advice