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David Ortiz Offers Rafael Devers Advice Amid Spring Training Nesn

Bonisiwe Shabane
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david ortiz offers rafael devers advice amid spring training nesn

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz understands where Rafael Devers is coming from as the team gathered in Fort Myers, Fla., for spring training. Devers spent seven-plus seasons as Boston’s starting third baseman, making three All-Star appearances along the way. The Red Sox saved their biggest offseason spending splurge to sign third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, immediately opening the door to a new possibility. Boston manager Alex Cora now has two third basemen to choose from before Opening Day. Initially, when asked about the possibility of moving from third base, Devers was defiant. The 28-year-old wasn’t open to the idea of giving up the hot corner, sparking a massive debate before Bregman had ever suited up for a spring training exhibition.

But Ortiz, watching from afar, leveled with Devers and offered some blunt advice. “At some point, it’s all about putting the ego aside,” Ortiz told WEEI’s Rob Bradford on Audacy’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. Ortiz continued: “I’m in his corner at all times, but I want him to understand that this organization is trying to build up good players around him, so he doesn’t have to take the... Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz understands the situation Rafael Devers faces as the team gathers in Fort Myers, Florida, for spring training. Devers, the team’s starting third baseman for over seven seasons and a three-time All-Star, now finds himself in an unexpected position after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract. This move has sparked debate about Devers’ future role on the team.

Initially, Devers was defiant when asked about the possibility of moving from third base. The 28-year-old made it clear he wasn’t open to giving up the hot corner, even before Bregman suited up for a spring training exhibition game. However, David Ortiz, who has been mentoring Devers, offered some straightforward advice. “At some point, it’s all about putting the ego aside,” Ortiz told WEEI’s Rob Bradford on Audacy’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “I’m in his corner at all times, but I want him to understand that this organization is trying to build up good players around him, so he doesn’t have to take the pressure all... Ortiz emphasized that the Red Sox’s decision to sign Bregman wasn’t a slight against Devers but rather a move to strengthen the team.

“I don’t want (Devers) to feel like he was left alone,” Ortiz added. “Or I don’t want him to feel disappointed about the way the organization made the move because the organization would never try to hurt — especially a guy like Devers. Sometimes, there’s a situation that happens, and you have to move fast and go in that direction. (Devers) said a year ago, we gotta get good players. I wanna win. And that’s what the organization is trying to do.”

Rafael Devers with the Boston Red Sox. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) When Rafael Devers struggled to begin his first season as the Boston Red Sox's designated hitter, he was advised to speak with David Ortiz. Ortiz has seemingly endless wisdom to pass on to Devers, from the former face of the Red Sox franchise to the current one. He's advised Devers, a fellow Dominican native, throughout his big league career and supported him through his transition to DH during spring training. Devers was recently asked to take up first base for the Red Sox after Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury, which he staunchly refused.

The story of Devers' second contested position change blew up even further when Red Sox principal owner John Henry flew out to meet with him in Kansas City. Again, Ortiz has offered his perspective to Devers. "When you're the man in the team, when you're the guy the organization counts on, there are times when you have to take your ego and pack it away," Ortiz said in Spanish in... Ortiz made another comment about Devers' need to quell his ego for the betterment of the team after he initially refused to move to third base to accommodate Alex Bregman on the roster. He eventually accepted the move to DH, but the front office's request for him to pick up his glove again feels different and desperate after everything it said to get him to accept his... As the Boston Red Sox mull moving one left-handed slugger to the designated hitter position, they're thankful for the presence of another lefty who manned the role for well over a decade.

David Ortiz is one of the greatest players in Red Sox history, and though he retired after the 2016 season, his presence is still felt throughout the organization. He's made yearly trips to spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla. and this year, he arrived to a bigger controversy than usual. After the Red Sox signed two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman, incumbent star Rafael Devers was left wondering whether his position was in jeopardy. Only two years after signing a $313.5 million extension, Devers could find himself as a designated hitter when he was once promised the long-term third base gig. During a recent appearance on the“Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, Ortiz offered insight into his conversations with Devers and his advice on how the 28-year-old slugger should frame his thinking around the Bregman signing.

“At some point, it’s all about putting the ego aside,” Ortiz said. “I’m in his corner at all times, but I want him to understand that this organization is trying to build up good players around him, so he doesn’t have to take the pressure all... BREAKING: Phillies to sign Astros outfielder as Harrison Bader replacement BREAKING: Phillies to cut ties with Third baseman for $260M, 10-time Gold Glove, 8-time All-Star BREAKING: Mariners to sign 25-Year-Old Japanese Star as Top Free-Agent Fit BREAKING: Mariners Lose coach To Guardians

BREAKING: Mariners get another crack at trading for Red Sox slugger on shaky ground Rafael Devers is currently 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts on the season. That’s historically unusual and extremely unlike the most productive hitter for the Boston Red Sox in recent seasons. For as much panic, concern and overreaction as there has been regarding Devers’s start to the season, which is only heightened after the well-documented series of statements that led to his position change, he’s... David Ortiz, the Boston icon who rewrote the expectations and potential of the designated hitter position, had startling beginnings that rattled the media and fanbase in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons. David Ortiz, April 2009Stats: 22 G, .230/.290/.333, .623 OPS, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 8 BB, 22 K

David Ortiz, April 2010Stats: 16 G, .143/.238/.286, .524 OPS, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 BB, 21 K

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