FORT MYERS, Fla. — Triston Casas is taking Rafael Devers’s side.
On Monday, Devers was asked about a possible move to designated hitter following the signing of Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman.
To which Devers replied: “No. I’m a third baseman.”
On Tuesday, first baseman Triston Casas backed up his teammate, saying Devers should stay at third.
“I think it’s Raffy Devers’s position. I think he’s the third baseman and at that point that’s where it stands,” Casas said. “He’s done it for a really long time now and I think he’s only getting better at that position. I think his defense is getting better every single year.”
Casas went on to call Devers “the best third baseman in the league” and said Bregman should play second base.
“I think he’s going to make the transition well. I think he’s athletic enough to, and I think Trevor [Story] is going to play an awesome shortstop,” Casas said.
The decision on who plays third, of course, will be made by manager Alex Cora. Devers said the team approached him last Friday, after signing Bregman and asked if he would shift to DH.
He made it clear he was opposed to the idea. Devers even noted that he was upset at the fact that he felt the Red Sox were pulling back on their word after he signed a 10-year deal worth $313.5 million in 2023.
On Monday, Cora said he had heard Devers’s comments and would need more detail before giving his full opinion.
By Tuesday, Cora was up to date on what his third baseman (or DH?) had said.
“He was ready for it, right?” Cora said. “He was ready for the questions and he answered the questions the way he wanted to. I respect whoever sits [in front of the media] and talks. I respect that. It’s not easy to do.
“But at the same time understanding that we’re the Boston Red Sox and we’re going to be ready for Opening Day and he’s going to be a huge part of it.”
Bregman was diplomatic and measured when asked about what Devers said.
“I’m super excited just to be his teammate,” he said. “He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning. I think everybody here believes in their abilities, and I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season, we have a really good chance of having a winning baseball season.”
According to Bregman, his personal relationship with Devers has been fine.
“We’ve been having a lot of fun. We’ve been taking ground balls; doing our work together,” he said. “Talking about winning; talking about baseball; talking about [being] excited for the season.”
Bregman also declined to say what position he should play.
“I can only talk for myself. I’ll play wherever it helps the team win,’ he said.
Cora hosted a dinner for some players at his home on Monday night that Bregman and Devers attended. They spent 45 minutes talking according to the manager.
Whatever anger Devers may have for the team, it doesn’t extend to Bregman.
Devers is not yet cleared for on-field work as he recovers from pain in both shoulders, which carried over from last season. He’s been working out behind closed doors and hitting in the batting cages but has yet to step on the diamond. That’s expected to happen Monday, according to Cora.
Peter Abraham of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.