Nearly three weeks ago, the Red Sox made a major move by signing star third baseman Alex Bregman. For Red Sox fans, the years since Mookie Betts was traded to the Dodgers have been frustrating, especially for a franchise that once thrived on success. However, with a strong farm system, key additions to the starting rotation, and this blockbuster signing, it seemed like the momentum in Boston was shifting.
Instead, a debate over the starting third baseman emerged when Rafael Devers was asked whether the team wanted Bregman at third, to which he replied, “No, I play third.” While this may have been blown out of proportion by the media and not an actual issue among the players, it has been the biggest storyline of Spring Training.
Manager Alex Cora has repeatedly been questioned about the decision. When asked yesterday, he responded, “We’ll do whatever is best for the Red Sox. Let’s see what happens.” With the decision still up in the air, let’s analyze who is the best fit for third base.
The case for Alex Bregman
The argument for Bregman taking over third base is fairly straightforward—he is the superior defender. In 2024, he recorded 6 Outs Above Average (OAA) and ranked in the 81st percentile for fielding run value. In contrast, Devers posted a -5 OAA and landed in the 18th percentile for fielding run value. Over his career, Devers has accumulated -28 OAA and committed 141 errors across 951 games.
Bregman has only recorded a negative fielding run value once (in 2018), whereas Devers has had just one season with a positive fielding run value, back in 2019. Their defensive statistics are essentially opposites, making it clear who the stronger fielder is.
The case for Rafael Devers
Devers has been vocal about his desire to remain at third base, a position he has held since 2017 while establishing himself as the Red Sox’s leader. When speculation arose about a possible position change, some teammates backed him up—Triston Casas, for example, stated, “I think he’s the third baseman and at that point, that’s where it stands.”
Despite his defensive struggles over the years, Devers has shown flashes of excellence, particularly in 2019 when he recorded an impressive 18 Outs Above Average (OAA). Although his recent performance has dipped, his raw talent remains, and with strong support from the clubhouse, there is belief that he can regain his defensive form.
How will it end up playing out?
Despite Devers’ insistence on staying at third base, it seems increasingly likely that the position will soon belong to Bregman. With Devers recovering from injury, Bregman has handled third base duties throughout Spring Training and hasn’t even been tested at second base.
At this point, Devers appears more accepting of the potential change, shifting his focus toward team success. He emphasized the importance of chemistry, stating, “Like I’ve always said since Day 1, the most important thing for me is that we win.” Ultimately, the Red Sox must prioritize the best lineup for maximizing victories and making a postseason run. The statistics clearly favor Bregman at third base, and it seems inevitable that he will take over the position in 2025.
