Red Sox owner meets with disgruntled $314 million star

The third-baseman-turned-DH had pointed comments toward the team's top baseball operations executive Thursday, prompting a sit-down meeting with ownership
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) slaps hands with Red Sox owner John Henry after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Fenway Park.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) slaps hands with Red Sox owner John Henry after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. / Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
facebooktwitter

Boston Red Sox owner John Henry flew to Kansas City on Friday to meet with disgruntled star Rafael Devers.

Devers, who is in Year 2 of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension, made pointed comments Thursday to Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, saying "I think they should do their job essentially and hit the market and look for another player (to play first base)."

More news: Rafael Devers is feuding with the Red Sox front office again

The unusually blunt remarks follow a tumultuous season in which Breslow signed reigning American League Gold Glove Award winner Alex Bregman, effectively forcing Devers off the position he's played most over nine major league seasons in Boston.

Devers begrudgingly shifted to DH to accommodate Bregman, but only after making it clear that wasn't his preference.

Breslow filled in reporters, including Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, on the details of the meeting between Devers and Henry.

"John, Sam (Kennedy, the Red Sox team President) and I flew out earlier today," Breslow said, via Cotillo. "It was actually John who spoke directly with Raffy. We felt like it was important based on the situation that unfolded yesterday to come out here and have an honest conversation about what we value as an organization and what we believe is important to the Boston Red Sox. That being great teammates for each other."

The implication: when Breslow asked Devers about possibly playing first base in light of a season-ending injury to Triston Casas, it was more than a mere request.

GET MORE TOP STORIES from The Big Lead by subscribing to TBL YouTube channel NBA: Paul Pierce pokes fun at himself, re-enacting legendary moment after losing bet
MLB: Marlins fan renounces team amid blowout loss to Dodgers after Ohtani dance
NFL: NFL will reveal select games before official schedule release next week
SPORTS MEDIA: Skip Bayless compares Gregg Popovich to Donald Trump in bizarre rant
VIRAL: NFL fans troll Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett for hilarious reason