Boston Red Sox have had a difficult offseason so far with their star player leaving. They lost Xander Bogaerts in free agency as the All-Star shortstop signed with the San Diego Padres. And this is not the first time this is happening as they lost Mookie Betts in a similar fashion. But the Red Sox have finally paid a player to stay. The team has reportedly agreed on a deal to extend Rafael Devers.
Notably, this is a huge deal for the Red Sox as they have had a relatively quiet off-season so far. And knowing that the kind of offseason the Red Sox were going through, MLB fans were rather surprised by their move to extend Devers’ contract.
Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to an 11-year deal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to an 11-year $331 million contract extension with third baseman Rafael Devers. ESPN’s Jeff Passan shared a Tweet and confirmed the news of the contract. Although this is not a new signing, Devers is an All-Star caliber player and will be a good piece to build the team around.
BREAKING: Star third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an 11-year, $331 million contract, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.
The deal is not done. The physical process hasn't started. But in the end, Devers is expected to remain in Boston.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 4, 2023
In the Tweet, Jeff Passan said ?Star third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an 11-year, $331 million contract, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.? The deal is the largest contract in Red Sox history and is the biggest for a third baseman in the MLB.?
Fans have reacted to the deal and are happy that the team has finally made a move. Most fans are happy that the Red Sox have finally secured Devers to a long-term deal.?
I still dont know if i believe it
— Wicked Bitter (@WickedBitter) January 4, 2023
GOOD. Booing John Henry at the winter classic actually did something. We need to boo him more
— Chris Mahoney (Energy Guardian) ☘️ (@CJHurricane781) January 4, 2023
@dialedindiv LETS GO
— 🔔 (@NolaHOF) January 4, 2023
@SurlySportsGuy is this the beginning of the turn around?
— Mick Keane (@Mick_keane) January 4, 2023
LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
— x – Robbie | Thank You Bergy (@robshot587) January 4, 2023
Thank god. I was about to give up on them.
— Nicholas Pagnini (@NicholasPag) January 4, 2023
30 million aav for one of the best hitters in league is kind of a steal especially at that age 😭
— xaxaxa #KALTAKKIRAN (@ethemmy) January 4, 2023
Worth. Every. Penny.
— Betta Call Paulie (@paulfromsouthie) January 4, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The 11-year deal will go into effect immediately and cancel out the 1-year deal Devers signed to avoid arbitration. According to ESPN ?The one-year, $17.5 million contract Devers signed earlier in the week to avoid arbitration will be superseded by the long-term deal?. But this is unlikely to be the end of the offseason for the Red Sox as they still have holes to fill.
The Red Sox still haven?t done enough
Although the Red Sox have signed Devers to a new deal and brought in free agent Masataka Yoshida, they still haven?t done enough. Other than the small deals that they have made here and there, the Red Sox have not covered the holes that they have in their squad.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: MLB Stars Who Have Been On Both Sides Of New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Rivalry?
Furthermore, they have lost players in free agency to other teams. The Red Sox have been interested in a number of players this offseason, only to see them sign elsewhere. It will be interesting to see what the team does in addition to this deal for Devers. What do you think of the Boston Red Sox signing Rafael Devers to an 11-year deal? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!