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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers Was Reportedly Never 'Mad' at Red Sox's Kristian Campbell Over First Base Decison
Rafael Devers Was Reportedly Never 'Mad' at Red Sox's Kristian Campbell Over First Base Decison originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the Boston Red Sox traded away franchise superstar Rafael Devers, a lot of speculation and reports were made. From how the deal was made to the discontent within the organization on Devers' reluctance to play first base, there was no shortage of reports on the drama. Advertisement But one report stood out. Devers, amid the drama surrounding his refusal to try first base, was reportedly frustrated with Kristian Campbell for attempting to learn the position. It was a wild report, but MLB insider for ESPN Jeff Passan shut that accusation down in a new article. "... The discussion around the Devers deal has devolved into falsehoods taking root." Passan writes. "There are small ones, like Devers being made at Campbell for volunteering to play first base -- he wasn't mad, multiple sources said." Amid the ongoing drama, the report that Devers was mad at Campbell created more animosity and confusion. But Passan cleared the air and shut down that rumor. Multiple sources indicated it was false. Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) watches a promotion on the scoreboard during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Zanine-Imagn Images Based on the nature of the rumor that Devers was mad at Campbell for trying out first base, it's no surprise it was a false rumor. That would be an extremely huge leap for Devers to take, especially as someone who wasn't going after teammates at any point, according to other rumors. Advertisement The speculation regarding Devers has taken off, and the situation has been getting worse over time. This report from Passan, ahead of the first time the Red Sox will see Devers since the trade, comes at a good time. It quells a lot of the remaining bad feelings with Devers, as this alleged incident was the main reason why Red Sox fans were frustrated with Devers, beyond his initial refusal to play first base. With both the Red Sox and Devers looking to move past the deal, this report should tie up most loose ends amid the speculation. Devers never was mad at Campbell, which, looking back, was a ridiculous accusation levied at Devers immediately following the trade. Related: Red Sox to Make Major Kristian Campbell Decision Related: Red Sox Fan Favorite Reveals Why He Picked Boston Over Yankees in Free Agency This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox to abandon Kristian Campbell experiment at first base
BOSTON — On their last homestand, the Red Sox were moving forward with their plans to have Kristian Campbell be part of the solution to their first base vacancy. As recently as late last week, they got as far as identifying a game (Sunday in Atlanta) for Campbell's debut at the position before changing that plan Sunday morning thanks to Abraham Toro's recent hot streak. Advertisement But on Monday, manager Alex Cora acknowledged that the return of Romy Gonzalez from the Injured List, coupled with Toro's play of late, was enough to table the Campbell-at-first experiment, at least for now. Campbell may still some work pre-game at first in the event the Sox turn to him late in a game, after either pinch-hitting or pinch-running moves thin out the bench. 'Toro's play has helped us slow down that,' said Cora. 'Romy's going to play first, Toro's going to play first. (Campbell) will still take grounders here and there, but it's nothing that we're planning on doing now.' With Campbell focused mostly at second — and presumably the occasional game in the outfield — the hope is that Campbell can get going offensively again. Advertisement After being chosen as the AL Rookie of the Month for March/April, Campbell nosedived in May, finishing the month with a slash line of .134/.184/.171 with just one extra base hit and four RBI. 'When you don't have too many reps,' said Cora, 'it's hard. He's played one year in the big leagues and we have high expectations. Now it's time our time to help him to make adjustments and get him to where we want him to be. 'He was the best rookie in April. He wasn't one of the best hitters in May and now we're in June. Hopefully, that experience, those at-bats and the wat they attacked him helped him to make adjustments and we can help him through that. 'He's a guy who, you give him information and he applies it. But this is a different level. It is. The stuff is a lot different than in the minor leagues. We still believe in the swing. We still believe in the character. Obviously, we're going to go through stretches. We'll try to help him out, keep the confidence up, and remind him that he's still a good player regardless of what the numbers say. Hopefully, it takes one swing, one bullet to right-center that goes out and it clicks for him.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
New York Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Kristian Campbell gets work at first base, perhaps opening second base for Marcelo Mayer
BOSTON – Four hours before first pitch on Friday night, Kristian Campbell stood at first base taking grounders and fielding throws as Red Sox manager Alex Cora, bench coach Ramón Vázquez and infield coach José Flores provided instruction. In the two weeks since Triston Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury, first base has been a revolving door for the Boston Red Sox and a hot-button issue with the team. From Romy Gonzalez to Abraham Toro to Nick Sogard, the Red Sox have filtered through temporary options. Advertisement And when they asked Rafael Devers to move to first, he refused, frustrated with the request from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. His comments caused such a stir that team owner John Henry flew to meet with Devers in Kansas City, where the team was playing last week. Now, the Red Sox seem to be turning toward Campbell as an option at first base, a move that would open the door for top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer to play second base and perhaps spark a Red Sox lineup desperately in need of a jolt. 'The process started,' Cora said. 'It can take 10 days, 15 days, a month, two months, but we started the process and we're introducing him to first base.' Campbell split time between second base and center field in the minors last season, but has spent the majority of his time since his big-league debut at second base, with just six games in the outfield. He noted the move to first, on the right side of the field, shouldn't be too difficult. 'That definitely helps a lot, being on the same side as second base,' he said. 'It's not completely different. It is a little awkward. It looks a little bit different. But the more and more I'm over there working on it, the better it'll get. 'I'm just being open to it,' he added. 'I've never played over there before, so I'm not sure exactly what the plans are, but that's something I definitely have to get used to.' Campbell borrowed Flores' infield glove for the drills, but did note he's ordering his own first base glove, an indication this isn't just some minor experiment. Some video of Kristian Campbell at first base with instruction from Infield instructor Jose Flores. — Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 16, 2025 Campbell quipped he's played every position but catcher and he's a quick learner. When asked what his favorite is, he paused, before noting: 'Whatever makes the team better, that's the position I play. I'm used to second base, because that's what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time.' Advertisement Since Devers' comments last week, the Red Sox appear to have cooled on pushing the idea any further. Though Devers came around on the idea of moving from third base to designated hitter, he seems less inclined to make another move, and all indications are that Cora wants Devers to remain at DH. 'This doesn't have to do with Raffy,' Cora said when asked if Campbell's first-base work was a result of Devers' comments. Part of the move likely has to do with Campbell's defense at second. Through 33 games at the position entering Friday, Campbell had posted minus-6 Defensive Runs Saved and minus-3 Outs Above Average. 'Obviously the numbers don't back him up, but I think he's been good at turning the double play and he's been good to his left,' Cora said of Campbell at second. 'I think, honestly, it's more work to his right. I think the angles are OK, not great.' On Friday night in Worcester, Mayer got his sixth start of the season at second base. Through 37 games, the 22-year-old Mayer was hitting .274 with an .828 OPS, five doubles, a triple and eight homers. But over the past month, he's hit .307 with a .939 OPS. Mayer has spent most of his career at shortstop, including 28 games there this season, but the Red Sox have moved him around the infield this year with four games at third in addition to his work at second, to find a spot on the big league roster for him. For now, the Red Sox are not rushing Campbell to adjust to first, but feel he can handle the move once he's had sufficient reps. 'Obviously, we're throwing this at him,' Cora said. 'But we believe he can actually digest it. Like I said, this is not like KC is playing first base tomorrow. We just want to see the footwork, how he moves, and go from there.' Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $60 million deal at the start of the season, won American League Rookie of the Month in April, but has cooled a bit at the plate since missing a few games with rib discomfort. Still, he's hitting .246 with a .746 OPS through 33 games. Advertisement 'It's all learning and development,' he said. 'I've gotta develop at this level. Regardless of where it is, I can develop at different positions. I can develop as a hitter. I'm still learning each and every day, each and every at-bat, even, I'm still learning some new stuff, and I'm still trying to get used to it.' As for first base, he's willing to give it a shot. 'It's going to take some time, but it's something I'm willing to do to help the team,' he said. (Photo of Marcelo Mayer: WooSox Photo / Ashley Green / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Agustín Ramírez's RBI single
Rafael Devers addresses being asked to move to first base Rafael Devers is standing pat on his decision to not play first base after Triston Casas suffered a knee injury. Rafael Devers addresses being asked to move to first base originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston 2:28 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers' two-run home run (7)
What Casas' injury means for Red Sox at first base Eric Samulski examines how Triston Casas' long-term viability comes in question after being shut down for the 2025 MLB season with a knee injury and which players are most likely to see an uptick in playing time. 1:33 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
