SAN FRANCISCO – Five days after everything in his professional world changed, Rafael Devers looked comfortable as he sat in the home dugout of the San Francisco Giants, even as the Red Sox – the only team he had ever played for – came to town for a weekend series that started Friday night at Oracle Park.
Swarmed by microphones and cameras, Devers held court for roughly 13 minutes and mostly dismissed acrimony he had in his final months with the Red Sox as “in the past.”
But there was one issue he did elaborate on slightly.
What would Devers tell Red Sox fans who were wondering why his unwillingness to play first base changed once he got traded?
“I would say that I have put some good numbers [up] over in Boston and I do feel that I have earned some respect,” said Devers. “And if they would have asked me at the beginning of Spring Training, yes, I would have played.”
However, that wasn’t in play at the time because Triston Casas – who ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee on May 2 – was still healthy.
This weekend presented an unusual chance at closure because it happened so soon after the sides parted ways. But there it was nonetheless.
During Thursday’s off-day for the Red Sox, and after the Giants had finished their afternoon game, Devers met up with some of his former teammates.
“It's been a few hectic days, a long week, it feels like,” said Devers. “But I saw my friends yesterday, so I’m happy being able to see them and I’m very happy. I spent some time with them and it’s kind of strange to see them so soon.”
Did Devers want to leave the Red Sox?
“That's in the past. Those are not decisions that I control, and that's why I'm leaving that in the past right now,” Devers said.
Devers does seem happy about the present, which includes a white, orange and black uniform with No. 16 on the back.
How long has it been since the 28-year-old felt this happy professionally?
“A long time,” Devers said. “I don't know how to explain it, but the feelings that I've had since I’ve been here, yes, I've been happy. I feel very relaxed now.”
It doesn't look like Devers will make his debut at first against his former team, but he’s enjoying the acclimation process.
“I’m comfortable [in workouts] and like I said in the past, it’s not a position that you're going to learn how to play overnight,” said Devers. “I just have to continue and practice there.”
Devers did send a message to the fans who cheered for him throughout his time with the Red Sox, which started in July 2017.
“I gave my 100 percent every time I went on the field,” Devers said. “I feel grateful to the fans that supported me and just want to say thank you to them.”