What Rafael Devers Told Red Sox Owner John Henry During Closed-Door Meeting

The closed-door meeting involving Red Sox owner John Henry, president and CEO Sam Kennedy, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and then-Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers attracted plenty of attention.

Given the Red Sox traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants about five weeks after the meeting in Kansas City, it’s continued to gain plenty of headlines, too.

Speaking in San Francisco before a three-game series against the Red Sox, Devers shared his side of the discussions, which Kennedy said included open and direct dialogue.

“They wanted me to play first base,” Devers said, per The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham. “I told (Henry) they eventually, yes. I could play first base but maybe next year. It was not my fault that players get hurt.

“I felt like if another player got hurt, they would move me again.”

Devers was asked to move to first base following the season-ending injury to Triston Casas. He rebuffed Breslow’s inquiry. And that was after Devers publicly expressed discontent about moving off third base following the offseason signing of Alex Bregman.

Ultimately, Devers’ private and public unwillingness prompted the Red Sox to trade their homegrown star for left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and right-handed prospect Jose Bello.