Rafael Devers didn’t mince words when he declared himself the Boston Red Sox’s third baseman. No ifs, buts, or maybes. His stance? He’s not moving to designated hitter, even with Gold Glover Alex Bregman now in the mix. That sent the Red Sox Nation into a frenzy. His firm stance raised concerns about how the team would navigate having two elite third basemen and whether this would create tension in the clubhouse. Would Boston force the issue, or would Devers’ defiance shape their plans?

Just a day later, Alex Bregman put those concerns to rest. Rather than engage in any positional tug-of-war, he focused on preparation and teamwork, reinforcing that there was no friction between him and Devers. He has settled into the camp without ruffling feathers, embracing his new environment and working alongside Devers rather than against him. Behind the scenes, the two have already spent time on the field together, refining their defensive skills, and even socializing off the field.

According to Mass Live, Alex Bregman dismissed any notion of conflict, making it clear that he and Devers are getting along just fine. “We’ve been having a lot of fun,” Bregman said at Fenway South. “We’ve been taking ground balls back here, doing our work together, talking about winning, talking about baseball. Last night, we all got together and had dinner. It was great.”

But here’s the thing: Alex Bregman and Devers are already working together, even swapping tips. Cora revealed that Bregman recently suggested a mechanical tweak, which Devers immediately tried during infield drills. Not exactly the behavior of two guys locked in a turf war, no? “They were talking for 45 minutes at my house last night,” he said. “It didn’t look awkward to me.”

Could Devers’ stance lead to future trade speculation?

If Rafael Devers sticks to playing third base and the Red Sox feel that his defensive skills are overshadowed by his strengths, there might be talk of possible trades surfacing. Although nothing is set in stone at the moment, the Boston front office might start looking into trades if they think that reshuffling resources could enhance the team’s performance. Lets look at possible options.

A team like the Mariners, who need a cornerstone hitter, could be a fitting choice; a trade involving young ace George Kirby would make sense for both sides. The Cardinals, long in need of a left-handed power bat, could dangle Nolan Arenado in a deal that would allow Boston to get an elite defender while St. Louis secures a long-term offensive force.

The challenge in trading Devers lies in his contract and status as a franchise player. His bat remains one of the most dangerous in the game, and finding a fair return wouldn’t be easy. A team like the Mets, desperate to add another superstar, could offer a package built around Brett Baty and pitching prospects, while the Cubs—if they feel they’re one piece away—could float lefty ace Jordan Wicks in a deal. While a trade still feels unlikely, history has shown that when positional disputes linger, front offices start listening to offers.

Fans might see a brewing controversy, but inside the camp, it’s just another day at work. For Alex Bregman particularly, is taking grounders, waiting for clarity, and keeping the focus on one thing: winning the games, and proving his mettle in a new setup.