During an interview on WEEI’s Greg Hill Show, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned that Rafael Devers “hates” being the face of the franchise. Devers has never shown a strong inclination towards being the most renowned player on the team from an external perspective.
However after enduring years of influence from Cora and team leaders, Devers has assumed a greater leadership role within the club. His vocal stance on Boston’s insufficient offseason additions suggests a grim situation for the front office, as Devers openly addresses the team’s needs.
Everybody knows what we need. You know what we need. They know what we need,”Devers commented on the team last week, expressing his thoughts. He alluded to having additional perspectives on the team’s state that he was unable to discuss due to certain restrictions.
Devers is correct; Boston’s needs are evident, and many inferred that he was alluding to the necessity for a quality starting pitcher. Given the team’s proximity to competitiveness, it appears to be a missed opportunity not to address those needs.
Cora provided additional context to Devers’ statement, shedding light on more of the team’s needs during his interview. These needs extend beyond external interventions, emphasizing a broader perspective on the team’s requirements.
Cora revealed that before expressing concern about the team’s lack of additions, Devers prefaced his statement by affirming that he “likes where we’re at.” In embracing his team leader role, Devers has been careful not to criticize any current Boston players, recognizing the pressure they already face to perform at a high level.
Cora outlined ways the club can enhance itself without relying on external influence or additional funds, aligning with various conclusions drawn from Devers’ statement.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora praises Rafael Devers for voicing his concerns about the team’s current situation.
He didn’t say we need to play better defense or we need a better offensive player or more pitching, he said ‘everybody knows.’ But I don’t know, you might think we need a starting pitcher, you might think it’s a reliever, you might think it’s another hitter,” Cora said.
The reality is that the Red Sox likely require various improvements, but it appears they might secure only one or none of those needs. Cora is managing expectations by emphasizing aspects within the team’s control, separate from the front office’s financial influence. The plan is to address these areas and work towards becoming a better club.
Emphasizing control over controllable aspects seems to be a recurring theme for the upcoming campaign. Cora highlighted that with Devers expressing his opinions on necessary additions, it’s now time for him and the rest of the roster to focus on their work.
Whether or not they receive assistance from the front office, the Red Sox have a full 162-game season ahead of them. With Devers’ official 10-year, $313.5 million extension in effect, fans can anticipate increased leadership from the slugger.
