Alex Cora, Red Sox ‘Not Closing The Door’ On Rafael Devers Idea

The Boston Red Sox are exploring their options for a long-term replacement at first base with Triston Casas out for the season.

Alex Cora admitted the door is not entirely closed on Rafael Devers eventually making the move, even though the All-Star slugger poured cold water on that theory a week ago.

“Yeah, I mean obviously, we’re doing everything for the benefit of the team, right?” Cora said on NESN’s postgame coverage Friday. “We got guys taking ground balls at first. He hasn’t done that yet. But, we’re not closing the door.”

Regardless of whether or not Devers ends up playing first or subbing in for an injured Alex Bregman at third, he certainly has been focused on hitting — and it’s paying dividends for the Red Sox.

In his last 25 games, Devers has 10 homers, including two grand slams and 33 RBI. After a slow start, he is now slashing .299/.415/.557, with 12 home runs and 47 RBI.

“But, at the same time, this guy is the best DH in the American League, right? If he keeps going this way, he’s going to make it to the All-Star Game as a DH. He’s going to win the Silver Slugger, and his name is going to be in the conversation for the most valuable player.

“It’s still early, but when you look up how many RBIs he has now, 47 I think it is, and the homers, the on-base percentage, right now, he’s locked in, and we just got to make sure he stays on point.”