MLB Rumors: Red Sox Still Have Large Gap With Devers

The latest update on the Rafael Devers contract extension talks with the Boston Red Sox won't make the Fenway Faithful too confident, although MLB Insider Jon Heyman isn't quite so negative:

Jon Heyman has talked about the Red Sox being in the Austin Riley $ range with their last offer to Rafael Devers, but he put a number on it at “$220 MM or so” yesterday.

Also, he noted there’s some “optimism” that the two sides will bridge the gap. 👀pic.twitter.com/txfDKNGYgD

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) November 22, 2022

Heyman said the BoSox have come in with their latest offer of "$220 million or so", but "he's looking for $300 million." Sounds like a pretty big gap still, but Heyman offers a positive outlook:

"I think that one's doable. I think they can bridge that gap and figure it out, I think there's some optimism there."

The $220M number is just slightly above the $212M benchmark of the package the Atlanta Braves gave to their young slugging third baseman Austin Riley this past summer. But Riley only has two years as a top producer, while Devers has been at this level for four consecutive years with back-to-back All-Star appearances. 

It's still a fairly significant gap, but they do have until at least April to figure it out, as Devers is not a free agent until after the 2023 season. The 26-year-old hit .295 this season with an .879 OPS (an OPS+ of 141—41% better than the major league average), along with 27 HR and 88 RBIs. 

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports