Devers would've played 1B for Red Sox if asked during spring training

Rafael Devers said Friday he would've been open to playing first base for the Boston Red Sox if they asked him at the right time.

"I would say that I have put some good numbers over at Boston and I think that I do feel that I have earned some respect. And if they would have asked me at the beginning of spring training, yes, I would have played," Devers told reporters though a translator, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne.

The Red Sox traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants last weekend after a contentious few months, which included his reluctance to play first base after the Red Sox switched him from third base to designated hitter in the spring.

The 28-year-old has continued to DH for the Giants since arriving in San Francisco, but he's been taking grounders at first and has expressed a willingness to play the position for his new club.

Devers said he'd like to keep what happened with the Red Sox in the past, but added it'd been a long time since he was this happy.

"It's been a long time. I don't know how to explain it," Devers said, according to SF Giants on NBCS. "The feeling since I've been here (with the Giants), yes, I've been happy. I feel very relaxed now."

The three-time All-Star and the Giants begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at home Friday.