Devers: “I will do what the manager and the team ask”
Rafael Devers is determined to leave his own mark with San Francisco Giants and do what manager Bob Melvin and his team ask him
San Francisco – Rafael Devers entered the locker room next to King of home runs Barry Bondsa left -handed toletero to whom he New great batter of San Francisco Giants Admi from afar.
“I think with just seeing it, my game has already improved a lot,” said Devers when he was formally presented by the Giants on Tuesday, when he was scheduled to be the designated batter, third in the first game of the series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Devers is determined to leave his own mark in the franchise in what represents a new beginning very necessary for him and A monumental acquisition mid -season for Buster Posey and San Francisco Management.
And whatever he has gone badly in Boston, Devers has finished talking about the problems he had with the Boston Red Sox and is anxious to move forward with the giants.
“That is already a thing of the past. I am looking forward and concentrating on what I have here as a San Francisco Giant,” said Devers. “I really want to go to play and see what I can do.”
With a radiant smile to match his new and bright T -shirt number 16, Devers insisted that he will play in any position: “I am here to play wherever they play”, and in doing what manager Bob Melvin and his team ask.
“By the way, I really like his answers,” said Posey, in his first year as president of baseball operations.
And on the first day, Devers was flirting roles on the first base, something he would not do in Boston. His batting practice attracted a great crowd to Oracle Park, where fans arrived early with his shirt.
The giants will assume a megantrate after Devers signed a new contract of 331 million dollars for 11 years in January 2023. It joins several other stars with long-term contracts-the Willy Adames campocort World Series Championship, such as those that Giants won with him as his star receiver in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
The last time that San Francisco arrived at the playoffs was in 2021, when he won 107 games, a record for the franchise, and surpassed his Dodgers rivals for the title of the West Division of the National League on the last day.
“I think this organization has talent, they have won championships. I am here to play, win and win a championship,” said Devers through an interpreter.
Posey thanked the owners for their willingness to risk and acquired Devers in a exchange to boost a team that has lacked power and had difficulty scoring races for long periods this year. The exchange announced on Sunday was completed in recent weeks after countless hours and conversations.
“I think the persistence really paid off,” President Greg Johnson said.
While the Giants will put Devers to gradually a day to play again in the field, since this year has been exclusively designated, they know that he has many mentors willing to help him.
Melvin does not expect Devers to play in third base, but as a designated batter and first base, the same position that he did not want to play after losing his work in third base when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman with a three -year contract of three years and 120 million dollars in February to be his third base, the position where Devers made 130 openings last year.
“Having someone like Barry Bonds nearby, possibly the best batter of all time, is certainly an advantage,” said Posey.
Only days are left for the first Reunion of Devers with the Red Sox, who visit the Oracle Park for a series this weekend.
He hit .271 with 14 home runs and 57 races promoted in 72 games as Boston’s main batter. When asked what the differences will be at the beginning, Devers said: “It is the same baseball. I am here to give 100%.”
“I have been a fan from afar,” said pitcher Justin Verlander. “I am excited to add a player like that to our alignment.”
Devers, 28, was not excited about playing at first base in Boston, but thanked those who cheered him, calling them “fans who supported me for all the time I was there.”
After all the fanfare of his presentation and receiving his shirt in front of the majority of his teammates, who took the time to attend the press conference before making his routines prior to the party, Devers got down to work.
“The Giants brought me here for a reason and I’m going to give everything,” he said. “Now I am happy to be part of the team.”
The Associated Press contributed this report.
