How Rafael Devers at first base changes things for SF Giants

When the SF Giants pulled off their shocking blockbuster trade for Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers, it was unclear what positions he would play. Now that he is willing to play first base, how is that going to impact the rest of the team?

Giants manager Bob Melvin recently said that Devers is getting close to playing first base for the team. The 28-year-old has been dealing with a groin injury that has limited him to designated hitter duties with the Giants thus far.

How SF Giants will be impacted by Rafael Devers playing first base

Devers has never played first base at the big league level so it is tough to know how he is going to fare until we see him out there. The Giants reportedly had a first base legend work with him to try and show him the ropes at the new position, so one hopes that will help Devers be more comfortable out there.

For most of his career, Devers was a third baseman with Boston. Moving across the diamond is never easy and there are sure to be some hiccups, but it is nice that Devers is at least willing to play first for the Giants (something he was unwilling to do in Boston) so they have a little more flexibility.

While the team's defense could potentially take a hit at first initially with Devers there, there is the added benefit that the Giants could put Wilmer Flores at the DH spot in the order again. Flores has been struggling in his past seven games which roughly coincides with when Devers joined the team. Wilmer has just two hits in his last seven games as he has had less playing time and when he has played he has had to play in the field at first base.

Flores is a veteran with plenty of experience at first, but he is also not the most durable and may be feeling some of the effects of playing on a surgically repaired right knee.

He had found a nice groove as the team's designated hitter prior to the Devers trade so maybe with Devers playing first base that will allow Wilmer to recapture his form at the plate.

It also stands to reason that Dom Smith will see less playing time at first base once Devers starts playing there. Smith is the best defensive first baseman the Giants currently have, but given the fact that Flores and Devers both have more potent bats they are going to see more playing time than Smith.

He should still receive an occasional start here and there, but we are likely to see his playing time go down.

Moving Devers to first base does not completely upend things, but the hope is that is he can provide serviceable defense at first while staying healthy then that will free up others like Flores to perform to the best of their abilities.