Photo: Winslow Townson/Getty Images
The Boston Red Sox and star third baseman Rafael Devers are finalizing an 11-year, $331 million contract, ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Joon Lee report.
Devers and the BoSox agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $17.5 million deal for the 2023 campaign, to avoid arbitration. According to ESPN, Devers’ 11-year contract will take effect this year and run through the 2033 season. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal added that the contract includes a $20 million signing bonus. One of the top power-hitting third basemen in Major League Baseball, earning his first Silver Slugger in 2021. Last season, he slashed . 295/. 358/. Keep Bogaerts in Boston beyond 2023. He told ESPN’s Joon Lee last month: “I think we’re probably pushing beyond reason to try and get this done. Hopefully we can get this done. There will always be limitations, like how one can simply express something out of reach. Some guys like to bet on themselves, I hope he hits 63 home runs.” By re-signing Devers, the Red Sox will avoid losing their third home-grown star since 2020. The team traded star right fielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the start of the 2020 season, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres as a free agent this winter. Aside from locking up Devers, the Red Sox had a busy offseason. The club signed Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, infielder Justin Turner, starting pitcher Corey Kluber and bullpen arms Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Jolly Rodriguez. These signings don’t give Red Sox fans hope for 2023 and beyond, but the extension Devers reverses one Pretty tough offseason for Boston.
