How Top Red Sox Youngsters Reacted To Rafael Devers-Alex Bregman Drama

In a perfect world, young Boston Red Sox players wouldn’t have to endure any major distractions during spring training. They could put all their focus on developing and earning a spot on the opening day roster.

But Boston’s prospects were afforded no such luxuries at the start of spring training. Quite the opposite, in fact.

This week kicked off with franchise slugger Rafael Devers saying he’d refuse to move off third base to accommodate Alex Bregman, who can play both second and third. First baseman Triston Casas made matters worse by offering blunt roster advice, including leaving the Red Sox’s top prospects in the minors to start the season.

All of this could directly impact Vaughn Grissom, who was set to compete with Kristian Campbell for the opening-day second baseman job before the signing of Bregman. Now, his role in Boston is uncertain and at least one of his teammates basically is saying he should be on the bench.

Grissom addressed the drama during a conversation with WEEI’s Rob Bradford.

“It’s fine,” Grissom, who was acquired last year in the Chris Sale trade and struggled through injuries for most of the season, was quoted as saying. “When you know these guys, you know what they actually mean and where their hearts are coming from. It’s not like it’s anything sour or the vibe has changed. In my opinion, it’s all the same. Things get said. Some people don’t mean it. Maybe it’s their opinion or what they thought or this or that.

“I focus on myself and answer my questions. It’s not as chaotic as some might seem. There is no tension. I’m sure the other world, the media world, that’s different. ‘Why would you say that?’ But there are a lot of things that get said that are way worse than that. Things are fine around here. There’s so much time. The vibe around here is awesome. I don’t think it changes anything much. I think we all know where we stand.”

Bradford also spoke with Roman Anthony, the consensus top positional prospect in baseball and a candidate for the opening day roster — despite Casas’ claims.

“For me it’s just coming in here every day and working as hard as I can to make the team,” Anthony told Bradford. “Nothing really changes for me. I’m just going to continue to come in here and learn from all these guys and work my ass off to break with this team.

“Finishing the year in Worcester last year, learning from those guys and then coming in here now and being surrounded by these guys it’s motivating to stay with these guys when spring training is over. I think we have a really good group. I think it’s going to be a really good team this year. A lot of positives.”

The good news for the Red Sox is, Grissom and Anthony said all the right things. The bad news is they showed more media savvy than two of Boston’s established stars.

Nevertheless, the Red Sox will work through these distractions as they prepare for Saturday’s spring training opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

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