When Rafael Devers signed an 11-year extension with the Red Sox in 2023, he believed it came with the understanding he would be the team’s third baseman for the long term. Just two years into that deal, the Red Sox now have a better defensive third baseman on the roster in the newly signed Alex Bregman.

After signing Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox initially refused to commit to him at second base, and instead left the door open for Bregman to play his usual third base. That would then shift franchise icon Rafael Devers to DH,

Bregman is a superior defender to Devers, who has led the American League in errors at third base in seven consecutive seasons. Devers’ -6 OAA (Outs Above Average) last season ranked in the bottom-eight percentile, according to Baseball Savant.

The Red Sox instead drafted Deven Marrero at No. 24. Bregman kept his college commitment to LSU and Houston drafted him second overall in 2015. Bregman and the Red Sox never got close to agreeing on a signing bonus back then.

Bregman brings a lot to the Red Sox, who are coming off of an 81-81 season and a third place finish in the division, as they failed to make the postseason again. In fact, the last time that Boston reached the playoffs, Bregman's Astros bested them in the ALCS.

It's a significant step forward for an organization that has been too cautious, too conservative and too cheap for too long.

The Boston Red Sox got their guy. On Wednesday night the team agreed to sign All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million. It’s a bombshell signing that adds a much-needed right-handed bat to the Red Sox lineup. It also adds a jolt of excitement to Boston’s outlook for the 2025 season.

Third baseman Alex Bregman expressed that he'll "play wherever" for the Red Sox following Rafael Devers' comments about holding onto the hot corner.