Why Yankees Star Supported Red Sox’s Rafael Devers Amid Position Saga
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is playing a new position for the New York Yankees, but he doesn’t blame Rafael Devers for resisting a move.
The Yankees acquired Chisholm last summer, expecting to place the Miami Marlins center fielder back at second base. He instead played third base when Gleyber Torres wouldn’t change spots. Chisholm began the 2025 season at second, but he slid back to the hot corner when returning from a right oblique strain earlier this week.
Originally a shortstop, Chisholm has bounced around the diamond throughout his big-league career. However, he understands why his new Boston Red Sox rival wants to avoid the same path.
Following some early reluctance, Devers moved from third base to designated hitter to accommodate Alex Bregman. With Bregman and Triston Casas sidelined, the two-time Silver Slugger balked at returning to the infield as a first baseman.
Per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, Chisholm defended Devers’ choice.
“His situation, it’s completely different than mine,” Chisholm said. “He was promised that position. That was promised to him. I believe if you’re promised your position, you should go play the position you were promised. That’s what he worked on his whole career. You can’t go back on it. I don’t have a problem with what he did.”
Chisholm said the Yankees never assured him he would play second base for them. On the other hand, the Red Sox told Devers he’d stay at third base when agreeing to a 10-year extension in 2023.
“For him, it’s completely fine to say, ‘Well, I was promised this position. I was paid and the reason I’m here is to play third base,'” Chisholm said. “That’s his thing, and he has the right to say that. That’s what he and the team talked about.”
Devers appeared to adjust to his new DH role, as he rebounded from a quiet start to hit a blistering .373/.477/.664 in May. The 28-year-old won’t need his glove when the Red Sox begin a three-game series against Chisholm and the Yankees on Friday night.