Giants Star Rafael Devers Embraces First Base Role

All-Star slugger open to playing new position after trade from Red Sox

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Rafael Devers, the star slugger recently traded to the San Francisco Giants, has expressed comfort and enthusiasm about playing first base for the 2026 season. Devers, a three-time All-Star, initially resisted a position change with the Boston Red Sox but now says he is focused on improving his skills at first base and is ready to give 100% effort at the new position.

Why it matters

Devers is one of the premier hitters in Major League Baseball, so his willingness to adapt to a new position is a significant development for the Giants as they look to build a contending team around the 29-year-old. The Giants are banking on Devers' offensive production to power their lineup, and his comfort at first base will be crucial to the team's success.

The details

After being traded from the Boston Red Sox, where he refused to play first base, Devers has embraced the position change with the Giants. He stated that he feels comfortable at first base and is committed to improving his skills at the position through hard work this spring training. Devers played third base for most of his career but was asked to switch to first base in 2025 when Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury, something he was not willing to do with the Red Sox.

  • Devers was traded to the Giants in the offseason following the 2025 season.
  • Devers will be playing first base for the Giants in the 2026 season.

The players

Rafael Devers

A 29-year-old All-Star slugger who was recently traded from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants, where he will be playing first base.

Triston Casas

A Red Sox player who suffered a season-ending injury in 2025, leading the team to ask Devers to switch to first base, which he refused to do.

Alex Bregman

The Red Sox player who was playing third base, the position Devers had played throughout most of his career.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing that I need to do is just work and improve in that position. I feel comfortable. Especially now that I know that's going to be my position. I just gotta continue working, improving on it, and just give my 100%.”

— Rafael Devers (CBS Sports Bay Area)

What’s next

Devers will focus on improving his skills at first base during spring training with the Giants, as he prepares to be the team's primary first baseman for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Devers' willingness to embrace a position change and commit to improving his skills at first base shows his dedication to the Giants' success. This flexibility and team-first mentality could be a key factor in the Giants building a contending team around their new star slugger.