The Red Sox had been establishing momentum, the bats were hot, and then — a sudden transformation. As the fans braced for clarity, they got something else entirely. A vital star was suddenly in question, and the team’s reaction only added to the confusion. With Alex Cora, Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman all currently tangled in the same storyline, the interaction has quickly gone from tactical to downright controversial.

It all began on Friday—until word broke that Alex Bregman had woken up sore. What was initially brushed off quickly turned serious when Alex Cora confirmed that Bregman had undergone an MRI and “woke up feeling worse.” The tone transformed and suddenly, an injured list stint looked not only possible but likely.

The Red Sox’s infield depth is already paper-thin and after the situation with Bregman, it took a brutal hit. It was only natural that the fans turned their focus on the most obvious replacement. Enter Rafael Devers. Or rather…not quite. In a move that caught nearly everyone off guard, the management swiftly ruled him out as an option at third base.

Cora said, “Ceddanne can play third. Nick Sogard can play third. Abraham Toro can play third… We know Connor Wong can do it.” However, the most important line was this: “Devers is NOT an option to replace Alex Bregman at 3B.” A natural fit and the ex-third baseman was taken out of the contention, leaving fans scratching their heads.

As Cora’s statement made rounds on social media, fans asked: Why not Devers? He is healthy, heating up at the plate and knows the position. But, from Cora’s perspective, transforming the position for Devers could disrupt the rhythm that the star has finally identified. After all, he has been red-hot lately.

There are some fans who support Cora’s thought processes, but the timing of the decision has further intensified the spotlight on the team’s roster gaps and long-period infield approaches.

Red Sox fans have plenty to say related to Devers decision

From sarcasm to strategy, the reaction of Red Sox fans after Alex Cora’s decision covered every inch of the diamond. It is visible that the team is going through a positional juggling. With Casas sidelined, Devers can handle first base responsibilities, though the team has been hesitant to make any firm switch.

Cora knows that Devers is elite and can manage the 1st position and 3rd too. However, when he publicly made it clear that Devers was not going to replace Bregman, a few fans supported his decision. A fan wrote, “That is because he can not play First and Third at the same time.” This also highlights the lack of infield depth and the Sox’s reliance on plug-and-play options. Their juggling approach is not lost on the fans, specifically when Cora takes vital chess pieces off the board.

Another fan advised how Cora should manage the roster. He said, “Can someone inform me how many games/innings Mayer has at 3rd? Perfect world is Mayer at 3rd, Sogard at 1B, KC at 2B.” Well, Marcelo Mayer is a natural shortstop and some of the fans see the star as a short-period fix at third. The team chose him fourth overall in 2021. Mayer is batting .271 with a .347 OBP, .471 slugging percentage, .818 OPS, nine homers, five doubles, one triple, 43 RBIs, 31 runs, 20 walks and 38 strikeouts in 43 games this season. It was a hopeful suggestion when the fan said this.

“Fire Cora,” another fan said. This was short and blunt. Cora’s decision to rule out Devers so definitively, without a temporary look at third, looks too rigid for some. But for him to be fired because of that? Well, it’s probably extreme.

“Good. Keep him DH, he is batting,” read a comment. Now this is the flip side—fans who agree with the call and want Devers to stay locked in offensively. Devers has been crushing the ball lately. In this season, his OPS is .975, batting average is 197 and home runs are 12. Shifting such defensive duties could risk disturbing that rhythm.

“If Bregman is out for a while, I would go with this lineup: 1st- Campbell, 2nd- Mayer, SS- Hamilton, 3rd- Sogard. The story needs to sit a while,” wrote another fan. This suggestion digs deeper into a full reshuffle—and contains a nod toward benching Trevor Story. It is an aggressive, however, analyzed take.

As per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, Mayer has been chosen, however, Sogard could also be serviceable defensively if needed and he could slot into third without vital disruption.

Fan reactions highlight a clear divide, some back Cora’s loyalty to lineup rhythm, while some ask for vital moves. One aspect is certain: after adding Mayer, the team is now on the clock and the next few games could determine if this gamble pays off. Keep watching. This story is still unfolding.

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