Boston Red Sox fans were looking forward to signing a big name during the Major League Baseball (MLB) offseason, and they finally seem to be finalizing a deal with Dominican Rafael Devers, their top star.
After avoiding arbitration and sign for one year and $17.5 million, the Massachusetts franchise and one of the league’s best third basemen would have reached an agreement for a new contract.
As reported Jeff Passana journalist for ESPN, the Fenway Park franchise, and the third baseman appear to have found common ground on a deal that could leave Devers the rest of his major league career in Boston.
While there’s no official word yet, “Raffy” and the Red Sox have agreed to an 11-year, $331 million contract. This would start from 2024. The details are being finalized and the physical tests have not yet begun, according to the same report.
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
The definitive contract of Rafael Devers?
The Dominican is one of the best players in the league, and has hit and fielded consistently for Massachusetts. He is coming off probably the best season of his career, with a 141 OPS+ and his second All-Star.
Devers had a 4.4 WAR in 2022, the second best of his career, and since 2019 (barring the exception of the 2020 season due to the pandemic) excellence has been a constant part of his game.