Red Sox owner Henry meets with Devers following 1B kerfuffle
Boston Red Sox owner John Henry met with disgruntled slugger Rafael Devers on Friday to smooth things over after the three-time All-Star voiced his displeasure with the front office after being asked to play first base.
"There were conversations," chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "John, Sam, and I flew out earlier today. It was actually John who spoke directly with Raffy.
"We felt like it was important, based on the situation that unfolded yesterday, to come out here and have an honest conversation about what we value as an organization and what we believe is important to the Boston Red Sox. That being great teammates for each other."
Breslow said manager Alex Cora was also in the room for a "productive" talk between Henry and Devers, Cotillo added.
"Obviously, having everybody here and in the same place, it means a lot, not only for us that are on the ground, but the players and to Raffy too," Cora said, according to The Associated Press. "So I thought it was good."
The manager added that there's no plan in place for Devers to start taking ground balls at first base, but they'll continue to discuss playing the position with him.
On Thursday, Devers voiced his displeasure with Breslow and Boston's front office after being asked to play first base in the wake of Triston Casas' season-ending injury.
"I don't feel that they stayed true to their word," he said. "They asked me to - they told me that I was going to be playing this position, DH, and now they're going back on that. So yeah, I just don't think they stayed true to their word."
It's the second time Devers has been upset with the organization asking him to change positions. The Red Sox asked the 28-year-old to move from third base to designated hitter after signing Gold Glover Alex Bregman during the offseason.
Devers, who's been Boston's designated hitter every game this season, made 951 appearances at the hot corner before the 2025 campaign. He amassed minus-62 defensive runs saved and made 141 errors in those contests.