Something is not going in the move of Rafael Devers to DH

All of this changed when Devers signed a $ 313.5 million contract over 10 years, in post-xander chaos post-xander which attracted the deductible at the bottom of the Al East in 2022 and 2023. Great money drew attention and responsibilities, and Sox Nation fell hard on Devers last month when he swung to the concept of DH to accommodate a new SOX Baseman, Gold Glover, Gold Glover.

We have not seen a lot of delay after this fateful day, rather hilarious when he continued to deliver his “No!” (which required a zero translation) in DH questions to Fort Myers. Devers looked overweight, recovered from shoulder misfortunes and only played five training games in the spring. The SOX kept it out of sight and out of the waves.

On the eve of the regular season, the team announced that Devers will be, in fact, their designated striker, and this was followed by the two worst matches in the great career in the league.

In the fascinating victory of Boston, the opening day of 5-2, Devers fueled three times and founded weakly in the front row. The following night, in a defeat of 4-1, Devers opted for the Golden Sombrero, withdrawing in the four from the bats, including a Killer K with the loaded bases and one in seventh. During the defeat of 4-3 on Saturday, he attracted three times more. .

“These are only two games,” said a CALM, after Friday’s defeat. “I feel comfortable on the plate. I feel good. I did not hit the ball, but I think everything will change … I know who I am. I know that I did not do my job and I did not do what I am supposed to do, but I know everything will change. ”

It is difficult to look at this and not to wonder if the passage to DH plays the mind games with permanent. The SOXs did not speak to the end of this change – or even suggest that it could happen – until Bregman is acquired on the eve of training in the spring. Devers was clearly injured by the request and it was reported that he wanted to get out of Boston.

The SOXs played gently and nearby in February and March. They let the delay refresh themselves and allowed Manager Alex Cora to Cajoler the young spienter to accept the new role. Everything sounded well until we saw permanent in the first three games in Texas. Yuk. Is some bad games, or is the role of DH spoiled with the head of the delay?

I asked him. Does the DH, instead of a third basic player, makes it more difficult to strike?

“To be honest, I don’t know,” replied, via translator Carlos Villoria-Benitez. “I have never been in this position, so I don’t know. I feel very well on the plate, I just couldn’t hit the ball. So I don’t know. “

Sitting between the bats, instead of playing the third base, means that Devers needs a new routine. Does he have his new routine?

“I have my routine,” he said. “I try to stay warm and warm up on the plate. But it only had two games. (Saturday) I will come back here and I will try to hit the ball. ”

Another essay: being a DH gives him too much time to think of his bats?

“No, I think it’s in the past,” he said. “It was in spring training. Right now, we are in the season and I am the DH and I have the impression that you need to change the subject because it’s over and I am the DH.”

ALL RIGHT. We will change the subject. But it won’t be pretty.

The weight of delay could be a problem. He looks big. Almost Panda Big. He told us in training in the spring that he was 240 pounds. Press Guide SOX lists him at 245, the highest since he became a professional in 2013. The SOX said that he was 235 last season.

In 2015, when Devers was in minors, Boston listed his weight at 210 pounds. Now they have had 30 pounds heavier and he is in a new role that makes it more difficult to maintain the weight.

If he strikes, who cares? Some additional books. He did not seem to hurt Big Papi in his Dhing Prime. Each time Earl Weaver was questioned about the Big Belly on his MVP Boog Powell, Earl said: “He does not look at me too much (explained) of pregnancy when he rounds up the bases after hitting them circuits!”

Devers said he could take a moment to speak with Ortiz or former teammate JD Martinez of this role of DH. But he entered the match on Saturday evening, some blows will come.

“I feel comfortable,” he insisted. “It’s just a matter of time … I know that I have not yet been able to hit the ball in the area, but it’s something that will come.”

---

Dan Shaughnessy is a columnist for the globe. It can be attached to Daniel.shaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him @dan_shaughnessy.