MLB La Novena: Rafael Devers, team or dive player?

ByDavid Mitchell
MLB La Novena: Rafael Devers, team or dive player?

  • Damián L. Delgado AverhoffMay 9, 2025, 16:00

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      He is passionate about sport. He was a sports editor in Bohemia magazine in Cuba. From 2005 to date it has reported important international events. He currently writes about baseball and boxing at Espndeportes.com.

Rafael Devers explodes again against the Red Sox, an insurmountable video of the past, a cameo in ‘The Rookie’ and much more in the Ninth of AM850

1. Rafael Devers, again in the center of controversy

Pipo, in which damn mess you have gotten devers! It is again at the Center for Care. Neither when the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2018 or by signing the $ 331 million contract for 11 years, Dominican Rafael Devers had caused so much media stir. His predisposition to stay in the low profile simply went to the trash and does not seem that he will return to his place for a good stretch of the year. First, a little over a month ago the team decided to move it from the third base to the batter position designated to give entry to the free agent Alex Bregman, the star acquisition of the team in the low season ($ 120 million for three years). The decision generated a whole novel in the best Televisa style. Devers did not want to give up his position in the painting and let him know the management. Alex Cora, the manager, and the franchise leadership made ‘Carita’ reasons, who assumed the role of designated. A single fact to illustrate the validity of the decision of the Management of the Red Sox: Devers has been the antealist with more errors in the American League in each of the seasons since 2018 to 2024.

2. Situjada situation … and you play like BD

That believed Devers and Red Sox, however, the injury of the initialist Triston Casas came to prevent wound healing. Casas suffered a knee injury that takes it out of play for the rest of the season and product of it, Craig Breslow, baseball director of the Red Sox, asked Devers about covering the initial. And again, ‘the pod’ heated ‘as my Dominican friends would say. “I know that I am a baseball player, but at the same time, they cannot wait for me to play in all positions. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to keep the glove. I was not going to play in another position that was not the designated batter. Right now, I do not think it is an appropriate decision to ask me to play in another position.” It was not precisely the answer that management expected. The refusal resounding has reopened the question: is a team a team or simply watch over your personal interests?

3. Concern in Boston

Craig Breslow, who made the proposal to change the antealist glove for the first base pet, tried to lower the temperature of the controversy. In The Freg Hill Show, last Thursday, he dismissed that the organization was afraid of importing his player franchise more, but it did clear that the team is the priority. “I don’t think anyone is afraid of Rafael Devers. Obviously, we had a difficult conversation with him during spring training, when changing it third base to the designated hitter post because we feel it was the best for the team. We will continue to act with the best for the team in mind.” On the hypothetical movement to the initial, he clarified: “It could be, if Raffy manages to make that transition without problems and if he does not affect the offensive. Then, of course. But all those are factors that we must consider when making this decision.” Alex Cora, the helmsman of the team, did not close the door to the option. “I do not say that we will never have that conversation. But for now, as we are, I like Raffy as a designated batter. I like my designated hitter. If we remove the first weekend of the season, it has been one of the best big leagues hitters and is doing an exceptional job.”

4. Devers, war on a war?

But, the statements made by three times All Star and twice a silver bat, do not encourage Boston’s bias. On the contrary, they cause concern. “He (Breslow) played baseball. I would like to think that he knows that changing position is not easy,” said Devers through the interpreter of the red socks, Daveson Pérez. “They put me in this situation. They told me that they did not want to play in any other position. Now, they should basically do their job and look for another player. I do not understand why they want me to be an intermediate player. Sudden Be so flexible. I confess that I like the transparency of Devers. In an era where to say without filters what you think can lead to cancellation, the 28 -year -old says what he thinks without folds. That does not necessarily mean that you share your opinion. Baseball is a team sport where all the pieces are needed to win. Making sacrifices can be part of the dynamics. Devers said it is known, but he would not be the first or the last to make the transition. I suspect that the final decision will be “if you play for the team” or prefer the position of Divo that, according to the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, the related synonyms (among others) are superb, presumptuous, arrogant.

5. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and others, in full color

This ninth entry is exclusive to those who love baseball. Today we can see in high definition Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts and Paul Skenes, among others. But from the heroes of the past the images do not have plenty. How was the liturgy of that time? What were the batting practices like? How did the game look? We know it fundamentally for books, but this video below is a jewel that we should treasure.

6. Estebán Bellán, the first of all

According to Baseball Reference, as far away as on May 9, 1871, the first Latin American player, Cuban Estebán Bellán, stepped on a professional baseball land of an American league. The 21 -year -old infielder, former St. John’s College, played for the Troy Haymakers of the National Association, a pioneer professional league that later resulted in the National League. Bellán, born in Havana on October 1, 1849, played between 1871 and 1873 for the Troy Haymakers, a team that eventually became the current giants of San Francisco, and with the New York Mutuals.

7. Kike and his cameo in The Rookie

Kike Hernández may not be playing everything he wants with Los Angeles Dodgers. Until the closing of this column had participated in 29 team games with 84 appearances (74-14, .189 AVE), five home runs and 13 driven. Nothing striking. However, the outgoing and funny Puerto Rican player can make a new Check Mark in his “wish list”, after he made a cameo in The Rookie series. The episode came to the air this week and here he left you Kike’s performer on the small screen. Is it so good how in baseball diamond? Do you have a future or is it once? I leave it there.

8. If it’s Big Papi, it has to be good

I will paraphrase the slogan of a famous brand, do not accuse me of plagiarism. It is simply the best way I found to present the last audiovisual feat of a guy called David Ortiz and that most know him for his “war name”: Big Papi. If it’s Big Papi, it has to be good. And yes, the former player and member of the Cooperstown Hall of Fame has gone viral personifying a seer in a Topps Training commercial. I don’t know, but Papi’s painting gave Walter Mercado an air.

9. Play, obstacles do not matter

This video had to publish it in this column. There are many hours of practice to have such control, also develop skills to capture the ball … without arms. I have no doubt, this man deserves reverence and more.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.