Rafael Devers has agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, sources confirmed on Tuesday. The third baseman is reportedly looking to avoid arbitration, while both sides hope to negotiate a long-term deal.
While Devers is currently set to become a free agent in 2023, the Red Sox are looking to strike a long-term deal that will keep the 26-year-old in Boston until his 30s. The team is in need of squad reinforcements following the departures of homegrown talents Mookie Bett and Xander Bogaerts, who left via trade and free agency respectively.
Last season, Devers hit .295/.358/.521 for the Red Sox with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs. Over his six seasons in Boston, Devers has tallied 139 home runs and 455 RBIs, hitting .295/.358/.521 in the process.
The Red Sox have proven to be busy during the offseason, signing a growing list of players including infielder Justin Turner, outfielder Masataka Yoshida, starter Corey Kluber, and relievers Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Joely Rodriguez. Xander Bogaerts and Nathan Eovaldi went in the opposite direction, joining the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers respectively.
