Red Sox owner John Henry meets with Rafael Devers one-on-one in Kansas City

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In the wake of Rafael Devers publicly chastising the Red Sox brass on Thursday for requesting that he move to first base, Red Sox principal owner John Henry flew to Kansas City for a one-on-one meeting with the team’s franchise player.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy also made the trip to Kansas City, where the Red Sox are set to play three games this weekend. Henry, however, spoke with Devers alone, Breslow told reporters.

“John, Sam and I flew out earlier today, it was actually John who spoke directly with Raffy,” Breslow said on NESN. “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 and that is being great teammates for each other. And so we think we had a productive conversation. John seems to have had a productive conversation. And that’s where things stand right now.”

Breslow was asked to elaborate on what he meant by being a great teammate.

“I think it’s No. 1, being honest and open with communication,” he said. “I think it is recognizing when there’s an opportunity to step up, when there’s a need for the group to be in front of any individual achievement or accomplishment. And I think it’s important that that gets reinforced given what we’re hoping to accomplish.”

Henry’s unplanned trip to Kansas City to meet with Devers was highly unusual and highlights the severity of the situation. It also harkens back to an unplanned trip Henry took during the 2023 offseason when he flew to the Dominican Republic to lock down the 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension with Devers, the largest contract in franchise history. At the time, league sources said that meeting with Henry pushed the deal to completion for Devers. That he showed up mattered to the now 28-year-old.

The Red Sox may be hoping a similar meeting in Kansas City can smooth things over with their star player.

Breslow was asked why it was so important for the group to fly out and for Henry to meet with Devers.

“I think based on how things very publicly unfolded yesterday, there was an opportunity to address this and reinforce what we think is important, what has been important to this ownership group, what’s important to the players, staff and the front office,” he said. “We were able to do that and obviously Raffy is a really big and important part of this team. I think it’s important that these things get addressed head on.”

Breslow said that while he was not in on the conversation, Henry relayed it was an “honest and candid exchange.”

In his remarks on Thursday, Devers discussed a meeting he had with Breslow last weekend following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury during which Breslow asked him about playing first base.

“I’m not certain what (issue) he has with me,” Devers said through a team translator, referring to Breslow, who played 12 seasons in the majors from 2005-17. “He played ball and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy.”

The frustrations stem from the team asking Devers to move from third base to designated hitter in spring training after signing Alex Bregman to play third. Devers begrudgingly accepted the move but said he will not move again.

He said he felt the Red Sox didn’t stay true to the word asking him to move positions again.

“I think they should do their jobs essentially, and hit the market and look for another player,” Devers said. “I’m not sure why they want me to be in-between the way they have been.”

Breslow said he understood Devers was frustrated and labeled his initial conversations with Devers about first base as “exploratory.”

“My reaction was there potentially was some misunderstanding on the communication or an opportunity to more clearly provide communication,” Breslow said. “And so hopefully that was a step in the right direction here today.”

Breslow added he has not yet spoken to Devers since his comments on Thursday, but expects to soon.

Devers appeared to be blindsided by the signing of Bregman in spring training and the request for him to move to DH, repeating several times early in camp that he would not DH if asked. He eventually came around on the idea. Breslow was asked if he regretted how he handled the situation in the offseason and in camp.

“Obviously, it’s unfortunate that we’re in the situation that we are right now,” he said. “But as you approach every decision, you try to provide as much clear communication as possible. It’s my job to always put the priorities of the organization first. But I should also be evaluating every interaction I have with players and I’ll continue to do that.

(Photo: Tim Heitman / Imagn Images)

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