Lewis not the only one unwilling to change positions

[mnfireman]

https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-unwilling-to-play-first-base-for-red-sox

[Parfigliano]

Wasn't there a time when Kepler was asked to play CF and he refused?

[dxpavelka]

Do you REALLY believe that if Rocco filled out the lineup card and had a 3 by Lewis' name instead of a 5 he'd REFUSE to play 1B?

[DocBauer]

Lewis NEVER said he wouldn't play 2B. He stated he didn't want to change half way through the season as he was afraid of letting the team down by making a major error/mistake while moving there at that time.

In fact, he did actually play a couple games there. And in this past offseason he spent his time working out at BOTH 3B AND 2B so he was prepared wherever they wanted to play him. The Twins announced just as ST began that he was going to concentrate on 3B. 

This ridiculous narrative of Lewis being some malcontent just needs to stop!

 

[dxpavelka]

 

Lewis NEVER said he wouldn't play 2B. He stated he didn't want to change half way through the season as he was afraid of letting the team down by making a major error/mistake while moving there at that time.

In fact, he did actually play a couple games there. And in this past offseason he spent his time working out at BOTH 3B AND 2B so he was prepared wherever they wanted to play him. The Twins announced just as ST began that he was going to concentrate on 3B. 

This ridiculous narrative of Lewis being some malcontent just needs to stop!

 

but it gets clicks

[The Great Hambino]

So far, all that has happened is Devers saying he won't change positions.  IIRC he also said he wouldn't give up 3B in spring training, but that obviously is what ended up happening.  And Cora's quotes don't make it sound like they've moved beyond anything other than asking "what if?" at this point.

But what if the team really forced the issue and ordered him to play 1B?  Like, they officially submitted a lineup card with him playing there.  What is their recourse if he refused that?  Is there a precedent for this?  Could that be grounds for terminating his contract?  He's owed a lot of money through 2033.

While Devers is coming across as a real selfish knob here, there is a kernel of truth to what he's saying.  Any potential positional flexibility should be sorted out and planned for in the spring, including contingencies for injuries.  Don't tell a player to put away their glove if there are scenarios where he'll need it.  The "put your glove away" speech should be reserved for late-stage Jim Thome/Nelson Cruz types where there really isn't a chance they'd ever see the field.  So the Red Sox have helped exacerbate this issue to some degree.

[TheLeviathan]

Guys can lose money looking terrible in the field.  And it can follow them to the plate.  I understand the resistence, especially for guys that aren't particularly gifted in the field to begin with.

[Brock Beauchamp]

12 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Guys can lose money looking terrible in the field.  And it can follow them to the plate.  I understand the resistence, especially for guys that aren't particularly gifted in the field to begin with.

Devers also capitulated during spring training after the team didn't have discussions with him about pursuing Bregman. He didn't *want* to leave third base but ultimately did. Then Breslow told him to "put his glove away this season" and not two months into the season, NOW they want him to play an unfamiliar position.

Devers has every right to be irritated. From all accounts, Breslow has not been managing this well. If you're paying a guy $300m, you include him in conversations. Nothing should be a surprise to anyone, ever.