Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has agreed to an 11-year extension worth up to $331 million.
JUST IN: Star third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an 11-year, $331 million contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
The deal is not done. The physical process has not started. But in the end, Devers is expected to stay in Boston.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 4, 2023
However, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal has not been finalized, as the physical process has yet to begin. The expectation would be for Devers to be in Boston for the rest of his career.
This extension is long overdue and much needed by the Red Sox. Following the loss of shortstop Xander Bogearts to the San Diego Padres, the Red Sox’s offseason is looking bleak after missing the postseason last year. Signing Devers to a major extension is just what Boston needed to do to try to stay competitive in the AL East.
Devers’ extension takes effect next season, as he just signed an arbitration agreement worth up to $17 million. He will earn close to more than $30 million per season. With good reason, Devers has been one of the best third basemen not only in the AL East, but in MLB as well. Devers has a career batting average of .283 and a career OPS (On Base Plus Slugging) of .854.
He first arrived on the MLB scene in 2016 at age 20. He only appeared in 58 games. Devers arguably had his best seasons in 2019 and 2021. In each of those years, Devers was in the top 12 in MVP voting. In 2019, Devers led all MLB players in doubles and total bases. Remarkably, Devers made his first All-Star appearance in 2021.
Entering his seventh season with the Red Sox, he’ll be looking to build a somewhat quiet season by his standards. Last season Devers had just 27 home runs and 87 RBIs.
The Boston Red Sox would like to build on a disappointing year as they finished last in the AL East. The AL East has been getting better each season and the bottom-living Baltimore Orioles aren’t last in the division. Signing Rafael Devers to an extension gives Red Sox fans hope for better seasons to come.
