Red Sox near 11-year, $331M Devers agreement
Rafael Devers is unlikely to leave the Red Sox. On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that Devers and the Sox are nearing an 11-year, $331 million agreement.
The move is unconfirmed. One day after avoiding arbitration with a one-year, $17.5 million deal for 2023, the Red Sox announced the highest deal in their history. MLB’s sixth-largest contract is Devers‘. The 21st highest average annual value is $30.09M.
After losing Xander Bogaerts to the Padres last month, a megadeal with Devers was perfect time. The Red Sox faced an identity dilemma in the coming years without Bogaerts.
No more. Devers, who plays with joy, should be the Red Sox’s face for years to come.
Devers has improved over the past two seasons, tying for sixth in MLB with 146 extra-base hits and a.287/.355/.530 slash (137 OPS+). The 26-year-old left-handed slugger is in his seventh MLB season.
After losing Bogaerts to the Padres, the Red Sox knew they couldn’t take another PR hit or lose another run-producer.
After years of failed negotiations, the Sox transferred Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in February 2020. Ace Devers Chris Sale is the only star from the 2018 World Series champions. Only Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier remain from that team.
After losing Bogaerts, Martinez, Eovaldi, and Vázquez, the Red Sox will look different next season.
Devers’ contract dilemma is resolved, thus things will feel more settled.
Devers reportedly extends.
Rafael, Trevor Story, Masataka Yoshida, and Justin Turner, the veteran free agent who recently signed a two-year deal with a player option that is still pending a physical, will anchor the Red Sox’s 2023 lineup as they try to avoid a last-place finish in the American League East. Next season, Alex Cora’s lineup may include Kiké Hernández and Alex Verdugo.
The Red Sox have a long-term face in Devers after agreeing to an extension before Opening Day. Devers will become a Red Sox legend if he stays for the rest of his career. Devers broke Ted Williams and Betts’ club record with 333 extra-base hits in his first six seasons.
The front office, players, and Rafael Devers triumph.
On Aug. 9, 2013, the Red Sox signed Dominican Republic international free agent Devers. The club signed him for $1.5 million aged 16.
At the July 2017 Trade Deadline, the Sox called up 20-year-old Devers to play in a pennant race.
Rafael Devers
He immediately helped the Red Sox win the AL East. Devers hit two home runs, including an inside-the-parker in the ninth inning of Game 4 that sent Fenway Park into a frenzy. Boston lost the 2017 American League Division Series to Houston in four games. Devers would redeem himself in Octobers after a failed comeback in that game.
Devers hit a three-run homer against Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series to capture the 2018 World Series. He go-ahead hit in Game 4 helped the Red Sox win the Fall Classic in five games.
Devers’ 3-run homer off Verlander
In the 2021 postseason, Devers hit five home runs to get an upstart team two victories from the World Series.
Devers may have many October heroics in Boston with his contract nearly finalized.
