Rafael Devers signs with Red Sox, avoids arbitration
Rafael Devers will stay with the Boston Red Sox for the 2023 Major League Baseball season, signing for $17.5 million to avoid arbitration.
The Boston Red Sox finished the 2022 Major League season at the bottom of the AL East and have done little to improve their chances of playing in the 2023 playoffs during free agency. However, it appears that third baseman Rafael Devers is willing to stay in Massachusetts after all.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Devers will stay in Fenway for the 2023 Major League Baseball season in exchange for $17.5 million, in order to Avoid salary arbitration.
Third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $17.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 3, 2023
This does not stop the sides from reaching a long-term contract extension. The fact that the sides got this deal done shows discussions.
During 2022, the two-time All Star third baseman from Sánchez, Dominican Republic recorded averages of .295/.358/.521 after hitting 164 hits with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs in 555 at-bats.
He was identified by the Red Sox as a must-have for the organization, and was thought to be the main stumbling block in hanging onto Xander Bogaerts, who was eventually lost to the Padres in free agency.
Devers is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2023 season, but this one-year deal signals that both parties seem willing to finalize a long-term deal.
With Devers’ new contract, the Red Sox infield will consist of him, Trevor Story, Christian Arroyo and Triston Casas. The outfield will be protected by Masataka Yoshida, Kiké Hernández and Alex Verdugo. With the loss of Christian Vázquez to Houston last season, Boston seems to be plumping for Reese McGuire behind the plate.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: The complicated question of Trevor Bauer
World Series Four
Devers is one of only four players remaining on the Red Sox roster from the 2018 World Series title run. The other three are starting pitcher Chris Sale and relievers Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier.