After an intense offseason that greatly expanded the team’s roster, the Boston Red Sox are enjoying spring training.
While keeping their best prospects, the club signed reliever Aroldis Chapman and desired ace Garrett Crochet, among others.
However, the Red Sox’s most significant winter acquisition, a three-year, $120 million deal for infield star Alex Bregman, has generated some controversy this spring.
Throughout his career, Bregman has been among the greatest third basemen in baseball, and many people thought the signing would free up Rafael Devers, the team’s slugger, off the hot corner, where he has had defensive difficulties. Devers, however, has been emphatic about continuing in that capacity, which has led to speculation about how the Red Sox would use their new lineup.
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Devers’ final defensive position for the Red Sox this season, all eyes have been on his impending spring training debut.
The Red Sox had previously stated that Devers will make his debut on March 5, but they are now compelled to postpone that decision.
“It appears that Devers will not be making his debut tomorrow,” Ian Browne, a reporter for MLB.com, said on March 4. “During live BP, he still feels unprepared at the plate. He requested a bit more time from Alex Cora.
In addition to delaying the conclusion of the Bregman story, the delay may frustrate Red Sox fans since it suggests the franchise slugger has taken longer to heal from his two shoulder problems.
Although he hasn’t said when Devers’ debut would actually happen, manager Alex Cora hinted that it may happen this weekend. Eyes will probably continue to focus on the ongoing positioning issue until he takes the field with Bregman in a definite position.
