Rafael Devers has been a constant presence in the Boston Red Sox lineup, starting all 31 games so far this season, and is determined to play in all 162 games if he remains injury-free. Transitioning to a full-time designated hitter role, Devers no longer faces the wear of playing third base, which could aid his durability. He aims to improve upon last year's struggles, where injuries to both shoulders affected his performance.

Manager Alex Cora has offered Devers the option for rest days, but the young slugger feels healthy and ready to contribute to a strong hitting streak, highlighted by a recent 422-foot home run. His recent performance indicates that everything is clicking for the team, making his consistent presence vital.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches, fantasy managers' focus shifts to final roster adjustments and identifying last-minute FAAB targets. Notable names include Hayden Birdsong of the San Francisco Giants, who has excelled in spring training with an impressive strikeout rate and zero walks. Meanwhile, Justin Verlander, now with the Giants, is rebounding after injury setbacks, showing strong performance in his outings. Baltimore Orioles' Tomoyuki Sugano, transitioning from Japan, has made a mark by maintaining a solid ERA during spring training, while A.J. Puk of the Arizona Diamondbacks could split save opportunities, making him a valuable pick in leagues. Jose Alvarado of the Philadelphia Phillies is also reclaiming high-leverage spots after a tumultuous previous season. In the catcher position, Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates stands out after a breakout previous season and strong spring performance.

The Atlanta Braves have streamlined their spring training roster, now down to 48 players after the reassignment of infielder José Devers. Last season, Devers had limited action with the Miami Marlins, recording just one hit in four at-bats across three games. He previously showed promise in the minors but struggled to break through at the major league level, as reflected in his .244 batting average over 21 games during the 2021 season.

Devers, who signed a minor league contract with the Braves in the offseason, was part of the trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the Marlins in 2017, and expectations were high for him. However, his career has not progressed as anticipated, with a mediocre .261 batting average in seven seasons across various minor league levels. The Braves continue to trim their roster in preparation for the upcoming season, following other recent reassessments of pitchers and catchers.

The Boston Red Sox face a critical decision regarding the positioning of their star players as the 2024 season approaches. Rafael Devers, known for his prowess at third base, has firmly declined the team's request to shift positions for the newly acquired Alex Bregman, who has expressed flexibility in playing wherever necessary for the team’s success. With the season starting on March 27 against the Texas Rangers, the management must navigate this situation delicately, considering the implications of player roles on the overall team dynamics.

Although Bregman has historically been a strong defender at third base, his willingness to adapt raises questions about how the Red Sox will utilize their roster. Complicating matters is the presence of Kristian Campbell, a promising second base prospect, who the Red Sox may need to evaluate for the major league roster early in the season. This creates a unique scenario where the team must find a balance between player preferences and optimal lineup configurations.