In Rafael Devers talks, Boston Red Sox used 8-year, $168M For …..
Months after the Red Sox and Rafael Devers exchanged contract figures during spring training, we finally have a better sense of the details of the negotiations between the sides.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox “identified Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million extension with Atlanta as a basis for discussions — citing the likelihood that Devers would spend much of the contract either at first base or designated hitter.” Olson signed that deal — which comes with a $21 million average annual value — a day after Atlanta acquired him in a trade for four prospects in March.
Devers’ camp wanted a much larger contract. As MassLive reported in early April, the Red Sox made an offer during spring training but were “very far off” from the third baseman’s asking price. ESPN’s Jeff Passan later reported that the sides were more than $100 million apart in negotiations. There’s a sense that Devers, who at 25 is in the midst of a career year and is slated to hit free agency after 2023, could seek a deal worth more than $300 million. The sides have not talked since spring training as Boston has honored Devers’ wishes to not discuss a contract during the regular season.
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Late last week, Devers once again expressed his desire to sign a long-term deal with the Red Sox.
“If that can happen, that would be great,” Devers told MassLive when asked about potentially finishing his career in Boston. “We know the type of city Boston is. If it were up to me, I’d stay here my whole career. It’s a great city to play for, great fans, great ballpark. Everything that involves the organization is great so I hope I can finish my career here because that’s what I want
