The Red Sox have reached an agreement with third baseman Rafael Devers for 2023, the club announced yesterday.
The 26-year-old Devers is set to hit free agency this winter, but after losing hometown stars Mookie Betts via trade and Xander Bogaerts via free agency, the Red Sox are motivated to make it to a deal that would keep the Dominican in a Boston uniform until he was 30 years old.
The two-time All-Star hit .295/.358/.521 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs for the Red Sox last year.
Through his first six seasons, he has hit .283/.342/.512 with 139 home runs and 455 RBIs.
Boston’s busy offseason has seen a significant turnover, with Bogaerts and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi leaving and outfielder Masataka Yoshida, infielder Justin Turner, starter Corey Kluber and relievers Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Joely Rodriguez leaving. sign.
The Red Sox finished last in the AL East in 2022, and disillusionment with the fan base led to boos from owner John Henry at the Winter Classic, which was held at Fenway Park on last Monday.
The Red Sox and Devers have been far apart in previous talks about an extension, according to sources, though reaching an agreement to avoid Devers’ final year of arbitration is a sign the sides are continuing to talk.
After an offseason of massive spending, the Sanchez native third baseman’s case for a $300 million-plus contract has only emboldened him, and the pressure on the Red Sox not to lose another franchise player gives him significant influence in the negotiations.
