In the last days, Rafael Devers signed a one-year contract for the 2023 season. This will bring him $ 17.5 million and that assured him of bringing him to the gates of autonomy.
But he still had to sign a big long-term contract to stay with the club. He must, however, pass his physical tests.
There were rumors that negotiations had taken off in the final hours and Carlos Baerga, a former player who has a good batting average to get off the rumor mill, claimed Devers had signed for 11 more years in Boston.
He was talking regarding $332 million.
In the end, he will have (almost) been right since we are talking regarding a $331 million contract over 11 years. The contract will start in 2024.
He will therefore receive $348.5 million for the next 12 seasons. That sets the tone for Manny Machado’s next autonomy market in a year.
The Red Sox did the right thing. After all, who knows what it would have cost in a year…
The club might not afford, following losing Mookie Betts three years ago and Xander Bogaerts a few weeks ago, to let him go. And he was paid according to the market price, he who really had the big end of the stick in the negotiations.
After a very difficult winter in Boston, the Sox needed a win. They understood what had to be done and it is to their credit that they did.
Sox fans can breathe: Devers is here to stay.