NEW YORK — Offensively, Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers’ production has been a tick below his usual levels so far in 2023. Defensively, it has not been a smooth year, either.
Entering Friday, Devers had 15 errors in 113 games, which is one more than he did in the entirety of 2022 (14 errors). He has been worth negative-5 defensive runs saved (the ninth-worst among third basemen in baseball) and negative-7 outs above average. Statcast ranks him in the fourth percentile in terms of OAA this season.
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Poor defense from Devers played a key role in Thursday’s loss to the Nationals. With Washington shortstop Jeter Downs on third base with one out, Joey Meneses hit a sharp grounder to Devers, who seemed to rush the play and let the ball past him, allowing Meneses to score. Devers booted another ball in the fourth inning of Friday’s game at Yankee Stadium.
Considering how much emphasis Devers and the Sox’ coaching staff have put on the third baseman’s defense in recent years, the decline has been both alarming and disappointing. As Devers, 26, progresses through the 10-year, $313.5 million contract that begins next season, there’s a significant chance he’ll have to move off third base. Manager Alex Cora wishes Devers had been more consistent with the glove this season.
“He’s been inconsistent,” Cora said. “It seems like when we have a man at third and the infield is in, he has made a lot of errors in that situation. I talked to him about it yesterday. It really doesn’t matter if you look at the runner. You have to make sure you get it first and then whatever decision you make, you make. It’s not a wrong decision. If you feel like the guy’s gonna be safe at the plate, then you get the guy at first. On those plays, it has been inconsistent.”
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Devers’ arm strength has been about league average (43rd percentile, via Statcast) but his range has been limited at times. Cora did say that Devers has impressed the staff with his ability to come in on grounders.
“This year, he has been really good charging the baseball,” Cora said. “He has made some plays the last 10 days that have been great. It’s a matter of keep working with him.”
Through Thursday’s action, Devers had hit .262 with 27 homers, 26 doubles, 81 RBIs and an .844 OPS in 114 games. Though his average is down more than 30 points from last season, the run production has been there, as he has already tied his 2022 home run total. In 2022, when he finished 14th in the American League MVP race, Devers had an .879 OPS.
