MLB Rumors: Red Sox & Star Infielder Still $100M Apart

Back in spring training, there was a report that the Boston Red Sox were more than $100M apart in their negotiations to sign two-time All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers to an extension. 

Now, over six months later, newly re-opened negotiations still have them a good nine figures ($100M) apart. 

From Jon Heyman; The Red Sox current offer to Rafael Devers is at the $200 Million plus range but Devers is looking for 10 years and $300 Million plus.

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) October 27, 2022

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, word is that the Red Sox have raised their offer to Devers from about $168M before this season, to about the $200M range, but that the superstar is asking for a 10-year package worth around $300M. 

Devers—who becomes a free agent after the 2023 season— is the major league leader in total extra-base hits since the 2019 season, and had another power-packed year, with 27 homers, 42 doubles, and an .879 OPS, to go along with a .295 average and a .358 on-base. 

The Red Sox, surmises Heyman, could be using the $212M contract the Atlanta Braves handed to their slugging third baseman Austin Riley as a comp. But Riley only burst into the elite tier in 2021; Devers has been doing it since '19. 

If Rafael Devers wants 10 years, $300 million, what are the Red Sox waiting for? He’s 26. Pay him.

— Craig Teed (@craig_teed) October 27, 2022

And besides, what would the Boston lineup look like without Devers, and possibly the man who has patrolled shortstop next to him, Xander Bogaerts? 

While the Bogaerts talks are more urgent—he's opting out to become a free agent this offseason—going into another year with Devers coming to the end of his deal would not be the ideal scenario. 

As one rival executive told Heyman, “the Red Sox are in a tough spot.”

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