The Boston Red Sox have not been very successful since their victory in the 2018 World Series. Their appearance in the 2021 American League Championship Series stands out as an exception in a series of disappointing seasons. Despite the challenging years, they have managed to find several dependable contributors. Among them, third baseman Rafael Devers stands out as the best and most consistent. He is the embodiment of the franchise. Manager Alex Cora sheds light on this by explaining, “I know he dislikes being referred to as the face of the franchise. Just call him the carita (baby face) of the franchise.” According to Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo, Alex Cora stated, “I know he hates to be called the face of the franchise. Just call him the carita (baby face) of the franchise.”
Evidently, Devers does not appreciate being labeled as the face of the franchise, leading his teammates to affectionately call him “carita.” This nickname may be attributed to his youthful appearance. However, make no mistake, his performance on the field is that of a seasoned professional. For instance, last year he hit 33 home runs, drove in 100 runs, and achieved an .851 OPS. Devers is a force when it comes to doubles and home runs, boasting a career .853 OPS.
Devers has also assumed a leadership role within the team. Just recently, he expressed his disappointment with the front office’s lack of effort in bolstering the roster during the offseason and before last year’s trade deadline, as reported by Jen McCaffrey. Rafael Devers made one of his most outspoken statements, stating his disappointment in the team’s failure to make significant additions this winter and even at the trade deadline last year.
Currently, the Red Sox are appearing to be the weakest team in the American League East. Although this does not necessarily mean they are bad, their chances of making the playoffs are not as high as fans would hope. As long as they have Devers, they have a glimmer of hope. However, it is evident that they require more than just Lucas Giolito, Liam Hendriks, Tyler O’Neill, and Vaughn Grissom.
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According to the Source thecoldwire.com