This week's mailbag gets into the first base situation in Boston, Sandy Alcantara's rough start, options for the Cubs at third, lefty reliever possibilities for the Mets, and much more.
Clarke asks:
Surely the Gonzalez/Toro tandem is not the answer at first base for the Red Sox and Cora says Devers isn't moving out of DH. They are thin in the minors at 1B. Your poll yesterday showed pretty even opinions (inside and outside organization) for solutions. What say you? External options?
Cornelius asks:
Isn’t the only reasonable path for Anthony is moving Devers off DH (1st base) and using the DH for the 4th outfielders (Anthony, Abreu, Duran, and Rafaela)?
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic noted, "Before Tuesday’s game, [Red Sox manager Alex] Cora said that he’s had no discussions with Rafael Devers about moving to first base. Devers has been asked by the media to discuss the matter, but so far he has declined to talk."
At the risk of sounding like a talk radio guy, this is the big leagues, and Devers should step up and volunteer to learn first base immediately. The Red Sox have a 45% chance at the playoffs right now, and making suboptimal choices or waiting too long could cause them to fall short. For the second time this year, the Red Sox seem to be scared of offending Devers by mandating he do what's best for the team. As of this writing, the Red Sox haven't even had the first base discussion with Devers!
Clearly, Devers does not take position changes lightly. From Boston's perspective, I get treading carefully with a star player who is signed through 2033. But Devers learning first base is better than putting it on a 20-year-old prospect like Roman Anthony. Anthony has little left to learn in Triple-A and can easily join an outfield/DH rotation in Boston. Opening up DH also works as a way of getting Masataka Yoshida's bat into the lineup sooner.
You've seen the speculation on external options. Chris Cotillo of MassLive had a reasonable list, naming guys like Anthony Rizzo and Jon Singleton. The Red Sox can also look at trading for older players who are mashing at Triple-A and haven't really gotten a shot in the Majors yet, like Otto Kemp, Tim Elko, or Matt Lloyd. Who else might make sense?
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While it hasn’t been publicly stated whether or not Devers volunteered to play first base, Sox beat writers have stated he absolutely wants to play the field. If Cora wanted him there, Cora would have expressed that desire publicly. At least Breslow publicly stated it’s an option.
BTW – There’s been feedback the poll was a bit confusing, as the poll headline read “What SHOULD the Red Sox do about first base” but the poll itself read “How WILL the Red Sox replace Triston Casas”.
People didn’t vote because they weren’t sure if they were being asked what *they* think should be done, or what they think the *Red Sox* will do.
Why not let Yoshida try out for first base?
because he is 5′ 2″ , joking.
medic – I get your point, and it’s quite valid.
At 5’7″ he doesn’t have the height, long legs or wingspan to snag as many bad throws.
And he’s never played the infield. It’s much easier for infielders to move across the diamond to first base. Sox have tried moving outfielders to first base and it failed miserably.
His shoulder surgery recovery is preventing him from being able to throw well…even at 1b you need to be able to throw unincumbered.also consider.maybe devers shoulder injury which is never mentioned anymore is the reason he isnt trying 1b
Pool – What’s with the repeated hatred of Devers? His shoulders are not an issue at all, if it was then Cora and/or Devers would have said so publicly to squash the drama and media circus that has been going on since Casas got hurt.
And not one insider has mentioned anything about Raffy’s shoulders being an issue. If there was a shred of truth to that, one would think Cora would have mentioned it by now.
Devers should’ve been moved to 1B immediately after Casas’ injury.
simon – Third basemen who have made the move to first base, such as Lou Merloni and Kevin Youkilis, have said it takes a few days of practice before being ready for game situations.
I’d say 2 weeks of practice would be sufficient for Devers to play first base in a game.
Yea what happens next is you get muted for your lying and red sox hate
You claimed Devers was lousy at third, so what makes you think he will be good at first?
Pool – You’re the reason many people don’t believe in giving second chances.
See ya.
How about moving Bregman to 1B? Devers goes back to his natural position. Devers can be subbed out for defense in the later innings when needed
Most of his issues at third were his throws, that’s why!
FPG: it’s the internet. you can’t “Talk trash behind someone’s back” if it’s on the internet unless you two know each other personally. Quit trolling.
Fpg..on what planet is what wrote “hatred” ..the only hatred around here is what you have for cora..and are you really trying to say devers shoulder injury was not mentioned all spring??? It was literally the reason used for him not playing the field in the first place and its only been a month or so…you have the most selective memory..stop making things up to fuel your wierd cora hate..or disdain for the red sox front office like when you made up the narrative of houck being mad about lack of contract talks till i proved you wrong
What’s Jack Clark up to these days? He still owes the Red Sox for the year and a half they paid him for nothing
Ian Cundal stated Yoshida was seen attempting to throw at Fenway and basically couldn’t.. You still need to be able to throw. Not to mention the already stated fact that he is too short.
Funny how an uninformative quote from Cora and the lack of any other information turns into a bald assertion that Devers must be refusing to make a position change.
Sorry, man, you do sound like talk radio.
“For the second time this year, the Red Sox seem to be scared of offending Devers by mandating he do what’s best for the team. ”
You realize this is a demonstrably false statement? Red Sox FO pursued Bregman and Cora placed him at 3B without caring a lick if it offended Devers or not. And while we do know that Devers was offended, guess what? He went ahead with the move the team asked him to make and is now their full time DH.
Frog – Well said, and it was well documented as mentioned recently by Merloni & Speier that all offseason Cora and Company kept insisting to Raffy he would be the starting 3B this season.
When Raffy was blindside by Cora I can’t imagine anyone taking it better than he did, and most in his shoes would have taken it a lot worse.
BTW – Just to add, Tim is fantastic and in all fairness to him Raffy has had a stellar reputation over the years (unlike Cora) and that’s not something I would expect everyone to know. For example he played in a lot of pain last season because the need was there. He is one of the most well-respected players in MLB.
“bald assertion that Devers must be refusing to make a position change”
Where can that be found in my writing?
“without caring a lick if it offended Devers or not”
Don’t agree with that one
“For the second time this year, the Red Sox seem to be scared of offending Devers by mandating he do what’s best for the team. ”
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But that’s not reporting. That’s making Schitt up. You have no idea if any of that is true. All we know is that the Red Sox mandated that Devers switched positions.
What we don’t know, by any stretch of the imagination, is whether the RS are better off moving Devers to 1st.
Frog Alley Baseball;
Can always get some clicks writing the tri-weekly article on Devers potentially moving to 3B for Red Sox fans.
Bobby Dalbec is ripping it at Charlotte. Maybe the Red Sox can get him back. JK
let – You just reminded me of the campfire scene from Blazing Saddles! LOL!!!
His bat looks slower if you can believe that.
Man, Devers continues to look terrible. I’m not sure if it’s the team dragging him publicly, or him just being recalcitrant (or both) but it’s not a good look for the team or for him.
Brian – It’s 100% Cora’s inability to manage any situation.
Look at the difference between Breslow’s response to Devers possibly playing first base and Cora’s ….
Breslow responded by stating he is considering all options.
Cora just flat-out stated “No” and nothing more.
Whether intentional or not (only God knows), Cora has fed the media flames with his one-word response.
But I agree, it makes all parties look bad because lack of transparency leads to a LOT of speculation. That’s basic stuff that Cora should know by now, but he likely doesn’t give a damn.
Cora seems to be resistant to change if it isn’t changes of his own doing. We’ve seen it repeatedly with him using his “guys” to the detriment of winning and almost no adjusting on the fly. Is Devers playing 1B a great idea? Probably not but it should at least be considered, same with possibly getting Wong and Refsnyder reps there but none are likely to happen unless Breslow forces the issue
Rsox – I totally agree Cora is quite stubborn and in the past when he hasn’t gotten his way he’s resorted to extreme behavior such as using managerial decisions as revenge against his nemesis Bloom before finally getting him fired.
You’ve brought up the big question, does Breslow have the stones to force the issue? Or is he still afraid of Cora, knowing full well Cora is being funded/backed by ownership.
When John Henry finally sells there will likely be a fascinating book published about The Cora Era, I’m looking forward to it.
Cora is getting fired at some point this year. Outsider looking in.
Cleaver – Would be nice to have someone different like Tek or Ross as manager, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Last year Cora was saved by Devers and Duran, but both have struggled this season and may not be able to replicate last season. If Bregman cools off it could get ugly for Cora. I don’t think Abreu will cool off, he’s the real deal.
Still makes me laugh thinking about the people here who wanted Abreu gone last year and last offseason.
BrianCashmansBurner
Man, Devers continues to look terrible.
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Devers is killing the ball.
Devers continues to look terrible
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No. Devers is not commenting and turning this into a media circus and he is producing quite well at DH. He is producing and not being a distraction.
Exactly. Some people just don’t like drama. Devers is an employee of the Red Sox. That was made crystal clear this Spring. Devers SHOULD absolutely say nothing.
The casual fans don’t realize this, but the Bregman/Devers thing worked out perfectly.
projecting devers numbers through the end of the yea he would end up with over fifty doubles, twenty five, home runs and over a hundred rbis. Not a bad look.
alan – Agreed, he’s been hitting well however it’s been against weak competition.
Let’s hope he can raise his .800 OPS up to his career average of around .860 because if not for the walks he’d be around .750 which is not good.
His SLG is a career-low .430
FPG: “if not for the walks he’d be around .750 which is not good”
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Wow. If not for the hits and walks he would be around .000!
What would he be without the strikeouts? The stuff that FPG thinks is relevant continues to amaze me.
Just wonder how much of this would be worthy of reporting it they were 8-10 over 500 and in first…. Winning cure’s all… unless your the 90’s Cowboys, than your always news worthy…good or bad…
olm – To quote the title of the book about Cora’s cheating scandal with Houston, “Winning Fixes Everything”.
And BTW if you’re a book guy it’s a fantastic read and really sheds light on what kind of person Cora was with Houston.
I thought Bobby Brown married Whitney?? As all of my posts, my reading is the same all over the place.. last 3 books ( only read on vacations) Swagger ( Jimmy Johnson) little liar( my favorite author Mitch A) and Tattoos of the heart( Jesuit priest and L.A gangs) had to read all the classics in HS… family sick and tired of me getting Joesph Heller questions on jeopardy…Lol
Olm – I think I’ve been pretty good with interpreting your posts over the years, but you lost me on the Bobby Brown. LOL!!
On a related note, Is My Pi really that good? Should I make a trip before it goes away forever next month?
Never trust someone you don’t know’s opinion of someone you don’t know.
hayzee – So true!
Here’s two more:
“You are the company you keep”
“A leopard never changes it’s spots”
I’ve made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts.
An expert is someone who learns more and more about less and less until finally he knows everything about nothing.
hayzee – Love the first one!
The second one doesn’t make sense …. definition of expert is literally “a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area” ….
and that’s always a complaint I’ve had about college ….. it’s one big scam, forcing you to study a bunch of subjects that you’ll never have any use for, under the guise of being “well rounded” when in fact it’s all about $$$ ….. if a student knows what he wants to do for a career, let them take only courses which pertain to that career …. it will make them an expert in that field, and they should be able to graduate within 2 years …. alright rant over. LOL
Maybe they should try Bregman or Story. I good defender at 1B can make bad throws look ok and i think either of them may be able to do it better than Devers
Rsox – All the expert anaysts and baseball insiders have stated Devers has excellent hands which should make him great at picking the ball and stretching for the ball while at first base. True he’s not tall, but all have stated he has superior footwork for the position and is very light on his feet.
Zero chance they’d move a GG third baseman to the easiest position in baseball.
Story has declined a little bit this season because of his justified fear of injury, but he’s not yet at a point where first base is the only position he can play. It’s very possible next year Story and Mayer will be covering 3B/SS with Campbell at 2B as there will be no room for him in the outfield.
Seems like moving Story to 1B and bringing up Mayer to play SS is a decent in-house solution. But…has Mayer shown enough at AAA (he’s doing well there, but he’s 22yo and this is his first AAA season)? Would the Sox FO be willing to put Mayer on the 40-man roster, and start his MLB clock, now? I suppose it comes down to this: does the Sox FO model include winning this (and next) year, or are they more focused upon 2027+?
Gomez – Excellent points that I’ve brought up as well.
Since the Red Sox have been saying for years that they don’t plan to try and win until 2026, and keeping Anthony in the minors is confirmation, I would think it’s the same deal for Mayer ….. they want to retain the extra year of team control by keeping him down.
But at least there’s more reason to keep Mayer down, he has a chronic back issue that flared up recently so they need to ensure he’s fully healthy. The last thing they want is him accumulating service time while on the IL.
Flat out lie.
butch – It’s really sad when people create new handles just to take cheapshots at me.
Goodbye again.
nbcsportsboston.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-pro…
FPG: “the Red Sox have been saying for years that they don’t plan to try and win until 2026”
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No, they haven’t said that. It would be big news if they said that. People would moan about it every day here if they said that.
Right now the platoon they have is hitting better than Story.. Who do you put at 3rd if you move Bregman, Devers??, sorry we’ve done that already.
In Story’s last 62 ABs, he has -0- doubles, triples, and HRs, and has a 21/3 K/W. Gonzo is a better hitter, and more reps at 1st.
RedSox should just sign Anthony Rizzo, he still has some juice,and everyone knows he can play 1b
He said he wants major money if he’s gonna play again.
Hard no
FPG… what kind of person Cora was with Houston…( me stumping you !!!) forget it.. now you stumping me… shooting fish in a barrel… On a related note, Is My Pi really that good? Should I make a trip before it goes away forever next month? ( clueless)… need a win tonight and the next and the next and the….
Olm – Ohhhh…I finally got it! Now if you had said John Houston or Anjelica Houston LOL!
You know your pizza and MY PI is a famous Chicago pizza joint mypiepizza.com/
Great win last night even though it was all Bregman and Abreu … pitching to Bregman, what a dumb decision I’ll happily take! Now let’s win the series today before the tough schedule kicks in!
M@ybe the Red Sox should contact the Cardinals about Luken Baker. He’s blocked and wasting away on the bench.
I smell another potential Allen Craig there.
Kyle Schwarber.
Devers doesn’t like position changes or missing a meal. Guy is out of shape with a bad attitude. He’s fortunate Henry panicked and gave him an extension to appease the Mookie deal.
Jon Singleton is not available. He’s in the Mets organization.
I’m sure he’s available.
Singleton is absolutely available. If he ends up playing regularly for any MLB team, however, said team is in big trouble.
On the Nats question, a problem is that the longer they wait to add free agents, the more expensive it will be. As Tim noted, they have to overpay on premium FA’s because they have been bad for so long. Not spending means the failed season streak gets longer, which means that the cost to convince a premium FA to sign probably goes up. At the same time, the young cheap core players get pricier and closer to leaving themselves. I would say that’s long term damage.
These guys are nuts. Devers at first is not the solution. We are just beginning to see the benefits of having him off the infield dirt, why are so many clamoring to get him back on it?
On another subject, Chet Lemon passed away at 70 today. Any Tigers fan should be hurt right now