John Henry and front office fly to KC for ‘honest exchange’ with disgruntled Rafael Devers as Sox drop another

Red Sox owner John Henry, president/CEO Sam Kennedy, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew out to Kansas City on Friday to meet with disgruntled slugger Rafael Devers.

The Sox’ brass met with Devers just one day after he expressed his displeasure in being asked to play first base and publicly ripped Breslow to the media following Boston’s 5-0 win over the Texas Rangers Thursday afternoon.

Prior to the Red Sox's series opener against the Royals, Henry with Alex Cora, made an effort to reconcile with their star player.

“I thought it was productive,“ Cora said. ”Obviously, having everybody here and in the same place, it means a lot, not only for us on the ground but for the players and to Raffy, too. I thought it was good.

“It was a good conversation. He expressed his feelings. John did the same thing,” Cora added. “We talked a little bit. Everybody saw who was here. That carries weight in the clubhouse.”

What the two sides discussed was not made public. Breslow, who was not part of the conversation between Henry and Devers, echoed the same sentiment as Cora on the meeting.

“It’s probably wise for some of these matters to stay between John and Raffy, but my understanding is that it was productive dialogue,” Breslow said. “There was honest exchange by both sides. I think we’re gonna walk out of this in a much better place.”

DEVERS AIRS OUT DIRTY LAUNDRY

Following Dever’s 2-for-3 performance where he hit a solo homer and drove in two RBI on Thursday, the 28-year-old expressed his frustration at being asked by Breslow about the potential of moving to first base after already being moved off third base to be the team’s primary designated hitter.

“They had the conversation with me,” Devers said through translator Daveson Perez on Thursday. “I don’t think for me personally it’s the best decision after they asked me to play a different position, and I only have two months of playing this position. To all of a sudden have me try to play another position ... from my end, it doesn’t seem like a good decision.”

Breslow spoke with Devers following Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury. Devers told the club he did not want to change positions for the second time since the beginning of spring training nor learn to play first base, a position Devers has never played in his professional career.

Devers publicly called out the Sox’ front office leader, questioning why he was asked to play first base, and told Breslow that he thinks “they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player [for first base].

BRESLOW RESPONDS

Breslow seemingly responded to his star’s frustration about him.

“I’m not certain what [issue] he has with me. He played ball, and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy,” Devers said.

Breslow believed that the Friday afternoon conversation was necessary to align both parties' perspectives.

“Felt like it was important, based on the situation that unfolded [Thursday], to come out here and have an honest conversation about what we value as an organization, what we believe is important to the Boston Red Sox, that being great teammates for each other.”

One of the key takeaways from the meeting between Henry and Devers was around being a good teammate and clubhouse presence.

"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 — that being great teammates for each other. We think we had a productive conversation," Breslow said.

While Henry wants Devers to be a good teammate, the Sox’ principal owner knows he has $313.50 million tied into an unhappy asset in a year where the Red Sox could make a serious run at the postseason.

BE A GOOD TEAMMATE

Breslow told reporters what he felt a good teammate should be, emphasizing anyone on the roster should put the team first.

“Number one, it’s being an honest and open with communication,” he said. “It is recognizing when there is an opportunity to step up when there’s a need for the group to be put above any individual achievement or accomplishment. It’s important that gets reinforced given what we want to accomplish.”

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Breslow nor Cora mentioned whether or not Devers would begin to take any reps at first base.

“Right now, we’re just talking about a possible change of a position,” Cora said. “This is where we’re at right now. We lost our first baseman. We’re exploring every way to improve.

Breslow has not had a conversation 1-on-1 with Devers since his media scrum on Thursday but will eventually speak with him once the time is right.

“These aren’t the types of moves that can be made overnight,” Breslow said. “The initial conversation Raffy and I had was of an exploratory nature.

“Raffy was clearly frustrated with the situation. My reaction was, potentially there was some misunderstanding in the communication or an opportunity to more clearly provide communication. Hopefully, that was a step in the right direction here today.

“It’s unfortunate we’re in the situation that we are right now. 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.”

Breslow called Devers and Henry’s conversation an “honest, candid exchange.”

“It’s one of those days you try to avoid because of what happened yesterday,” said Cora. “Like I told Raffy, and I said it a million times in Fort Myers, we don’t tell players what not to say. We respect them, and we respect their opinions. Sometimes we don’t agree. Most of the time we do agree. For it to get to this point, it’s kind of weird. But the effort they made to get here and be part of the solution instead of making it a big issue, I think it means a lot.”

RED SOX RECAP

The Red Sox opened their road trip against one of the hottest teams in baseball. Unfortunately, an RBI single to center field off the bat of Royals’ Freddy Fermin in the bottom of the 12th was the difference maker, defeating the Sox, 2-1, at Kauffman Stadium.

Fermin collected the game winner off Red Sox lefty Sean Newcomb, who was Boston’s eighth pitcher of the night.

The Royals held the Red Sox to just six hits and 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Ironically, Devers plated Boston’s only run of the night when he hit a hard grounder to the shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and brought home Ceddanne Rafaela from third base in the top of the 11th inning.

The Royals tied it in the home half of the inning after Vinnie Pasquantino singled off Garrett Whitlock. The righty threw a wild pitch and issued a walk, along with two big strikeouts.

Kansas City is on a fiery streak, having won their last seven games, 10 out of 11, and 16 out of their last 18 games.

DEALIN’ DOBBINS

The extra innings loss spoiled Hunter Dobbins' start, where he went six shutout innings, giving up just five hits while striking out six batters. The righty threw just 81 pitches before Cora went to his bullpen.

“He’s been really good,” Cora said. “He’s a guy who has a good mix; he has a good fastball. Today he was under control, and he gave us more than enough.”

Dobbins was the first Sox’ pitcher this season to hurl six scoreless frames with six strikeouts and no walks. He now owns a 2.78 ERA with 19 strikeouts over four starts (22 2/3 innings) with Boston.

LORENZEN WAS BETTER

Royals starter Michael Lorenzen was dominant, smothering the Sox’ offense by allowing three hits over seven shutout innings and striking out seven without a walk.

Boston's best chance came in the sixth after Rafaela doubled to lead off the inning. Jarren Duran and Devers both followed up with strikeouts. Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch, giving the Red Sox two runners on base, but Kristian Campbell whiffed to kill the threat.

“We didn’t advance runners throughout the game, men at second and no outs, and when we did, we scored,” Cora said. “We’ve got to show up tomorrow and try to do the little things and win a ballgame.”

ROSTER MOVES ON THE HORIZON?

Cora suggested to the media after the game that roster moves are likely, that the club needed fresh arms, and that there’s potential to add to the bench.

“We’re talking about it, and also (Rob Refsnyder) and Romy (Gonzalez), they’re banged up, so we’ve got to make decisions probably, see how close they are,” Cora said. “Today for Romy was a tough one; he didn’t bounce back the way we expected. Ref is making strides, but he’s not there yet, so we’ll see.”

The second game of the series will feature a tremendous pitching matchup that’ll feature Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet (3-2, 2.02 ERA) against Royals ace lefty Cole Ragans (2-1, 3.79 ERA). The first pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET.