David Ortiz isn’t one to mince words. When he speaks, the baseball world listens—whether they like it or not. With the Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman controversy heating up and rumors swirling about Bregman potentially taking over third base, Big Papi made it clear he’s not a fan of the idea. He had a blunt message for Alex Cora and his crew. And Ortiz’s ultimatum cuts through the noise like a fastball down the middle. Boston better pay attention!

“You are not talking about just another ball player, you are talking about Rafael Devers, the current David Ortiz-type player the Red Sox have. Listen to me, that’s the team’s best player. Bregman might have better defensive numbers, I’ll give you that. But you are not talking about a “Mickey Mouse” type of player, you are talking about Rafael Devers”: a sharp statement from David Ortiz.

Although no decision has been made about this, after the Gold Glove season Bregman had, there is very little chance of Devers making the third base. But now, it looks like that is not supposed to be the case.

Rafael Devers has been with the Red Sox since 2017. He was a part of the 2018 World Series-winning team. He became the face of the franchise after Mookie Betts left. Devers made it to the third base position on his own.

But the arrival of Alex Bregman has stirred things up. And it seems to be affecting the atmosphere around the club.

While talking about Ortiz’s statement, we cannot avoid the defensive numbers, as well.

Compared to Alex Bregman, Devers’ defense looks like a rookie. With both of them having played the almost same innings, the fielding percentage of Alex Bregman’s (.977) is higher than Devers’ (.946). And the defensive runs saved are abysmal, with Devers at a -9 and Bregman at a +6.

Numbers don’t lie. But baseball isn’t just about stats, is it? It’s about impact, leadership, and keeping your franchise cornerstone happy. If the Red Sox push Devers aside too easily, they might find out the hard way that not every problem can be solved with a better glove.

Alex Bregman speaks, and Rafael Devers responds: The third base debate heats up

The battle for third base in Boston isn’t just playing out on the field—it’s making waves off it, too. The tension is reaching new heights, with one side about defensive excellence, and the other about franchise loyalty! Neither seems ready to back down.

“Third base is my position. It’s what I play,” declared Devers, dismissing any notion that he’d be open to a shift. His confidence is warranted—offensively, he’s been a powerhouse, boasting a career OPS of .859 and averaging 30+ home runs over the past four seasons.

However, the numbers on the defensive side of the ball tell a different story.

On the flip side, Bregman is taking a more diplomatic approach. “I’m super excited to just be his teammate. He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning, and whatever it takes to help the team win—that’s all I’m focused on. I’ll play wherever [manager Alex Cora] tells me to play.” he said, toeing the company line.

Breggy’s track record speaks louder than words. Last season, he was ranked among the best for third basemen. While his bat doesn’t quite match Devers’ power, his defensive prowess and ability to work counts at the plate add value that Boston desperately needs.

And it’s no secret that a player with A-Breg’s defensive acumen is best utilized where he shines the most—third base.

Now, the Red Sox have to make a decision and it won’t be pretty.

Manager Alex Cora finds himself in the middle of a high-stakes balancing act. Rafael Devers’ contract extension was built on the promise that he’d remain a franchise cornerstone, but Bregman was brought in for a reason.

If the Boston Red Sox prioritizes defense, the choice is obvious. But if they push Devers aside too easily, they may risk alienating the player they once dubbed the face of the franchise.

One thing is certain—the Red Sox infield is shaping up to be just as dramatic as their season ahead. Care to join the debate?