MLB Rumors: Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Reveals Rafael Devers' Communication Issues

David Ortiz isn’t shocked that Rafael Devers’ time with the Boston Red Sox ended in a high-profile breakup. 

Following Devers’ blockbuster trade to the San Francisco Giants, the Red Sox legend offered a blunt assessment: communication issues, ego, and immaturity doomed the relationship. Ortiz revealed he tried multiple times to offer advice to Devers, but the young star rarely responded, something Ortiz chalks up to a lack of awareness rather than bad intent.

David Ortiz likes Devers but thinks he needs to work on his communication pic.twitter.com/j3QRalkNBP

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 17, 2025

The Bregman Signing and Refusal to Move Sparked a Rift

Trouble began when Boston signed Alex Bregman and shifted Devers into a DH role, something the slugger resisted from the start. Things got worse when Devers flat-out refused to play first base after Triston Casas went down. 

That decision triggered a rare intervention: team president Sam Kennedy, baseball operations boss Craig Breslow, and owner John Henry flew to Kansas City to speak with Devers directly. Despite a $313.5 million contract, Devers wouldn’t budge. According to Ortiz, that’s where maturity matters most: “You’ve got to find a way to do what you’re told.”

David Ortiz: “Players need to take this as an example, nobody is indispensable. You have to be available, that was the end of the relationship between Devers and the Red Sox. You need to be smart to understand the situation. Your worst enemy is your ego.”

Via: @YancenPujols pic.twitter.com/A5gAtf4Ogd

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) June 16, 2025

Lessons from Big Papi: Ego Is the Real Enemy

Ortiz said his own Red Sox tenure wasn’t without conflict, but emphasized he handled it internally. He believes Devers’ downfall wasn’t talent-related, it was about leadership and understanding how to operate in a team setting. 

“Your worst enemy is your ego,” Ortiz told Yancen Pujols in Spanish. While Ortiz doesn’t entirely absolve the Red Sox front office, he stressed that players must accept the business side of baseball.

Photo Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images