How Rafael Devers Feels About Being Labeled Red Sox’s Clear ‘Leader’

Rafael Devers is the face of the Red Sox.

It’s rather obvious, now that two former high-profile teammates — Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts — are playing elsewhere. Devers is Boston’s best and highest-paid player.

But Red Sox manager Alex Cora drove home the point when announcing Boston’s 2024 All-Star selections and since doubled down on his comments regarding the 27-year-old third baseman. It’s on Devers to lead the next era of Red Sox baseball.

So, how does Devers feel about this responsibility?

Cora acknowledged the slugger doesn’t necessarily enjoy being labeled the “face of the franchise,” but Devers is more than willing to groom Boston’s arriving young players.

Check out the “310 to Left” video below to hear more from Devers.

“That’s my role right now, and something I have to get used to,” Devers told Alex Speier, through an interpreter, on the latest episode of NESN’s “310 to Left” podcast. ” ‘Leader’ gets thrown around a lot, and I just want to be that positive influence to the younger guys. I don’t want to really get caught up into anything about leadership. I just want to be there to bring the new guys up. I want to be fun — how I normally am — and mess around with the new guys, give them the confidence. I don’t want to be that guy that’s making things uncomfortable for people. I just want to be me.”

Devers already boasts an impressive résumé. He’s a three-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a World Series champion. Few players impact the game offensively like Devers, a Dominican Republic native who first joined the Red Sox organization as an international free agent back in 2013.

But we’re certainly reaching a new stage in his evolution as a player. The Red Sox need Devers to keep performing between the lines, where he’s a serious problem for opposing pitchers, but they also stand to benefit from his progression as a clubhouse leader.

Devers is the guy in Boston nowadays.