How 2004 Red Sox Champion Assessed Boston’s All-Star Third Base Decision

Bill Mueller, like Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers, won a World Series as a major league third baseman. The Boston Red Sox still have a decision to make on which elite player will play that position in 2025.

Devers started spring training with a hard stance against moving off third base for Bregman, who signed a three-year deal for $120 million. The move came with improved infield defense and right-handed balance in mind, though, it created a hard reality for the franchise cornerstone in Devers.

Mueller believes that conversations about Devers’ defense would’ve been wise to start before an upgrade was considered, though, it’s an understandable one for the Red Sox to work through.

“If he’s not willing to move off that position, I don’t think you go out and sign someone without asking or getting into the nuts and bolts of where his head is at,” Mueller told NESN.com. “You give him some scenarios of other things, different types of scenarios. Just to see what’s going on so you don’t run into this media chaos. You’ve got to give the guy a little heads up.”

Devers softened his stance and seemed more open to a position change when he met with the media Thursday. Mueller knows how much that message can mean for the Red Sox to keep stars happy and maximize production.

“As a player, sometimes you have to be a realistic self-evaluator of what’s best for the team,” Mueller said. “You understand the metrics. You’re getting the numbers. You’re seeing what’s going on. You’re seeing how you stack up against the league. If you want to help the team win, then sometimes you’ve got to bite the bullet and rearrange a spot.”

Mueller was happy to hear Devers’ updated stance, which should bring the Red Sox to their best possible lineup and the best chance to snap a three-year postseason drought with Bregman right in the middle of that mission.