Rejoice, Red Sox fans: Devers is staying
The Red Sox finally did what they needed to do and signed Rafael Devers to a long-term extension, but the move doesn't give the front office a pass.
Red Sox fans no longer have to worry about losing two franchise cornerstones in a two-year span. A month after losing Xander Bogaerts in free agency, the club finally paid Rafael Devers to stay in Boston for a long time.
Devers reportedly agreed to sign an 11-year, $331 million contract extension on Wednesday. The deal does not include any opt-outs or a no-trade clause. So barring a trade at some point, Devers will be the face of the Red Sox through his age-37 season.
That news brightened what had been a gloomy offseason for Boston. Bogaerts’ departure cast a dark cloud over an organization that hasn’t prioritized retaining its homegrown stars. Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, and then Bogaerts. Devers, originally scheduled to become a free agent after the 2023 season, seemed as good as gone.
Maybe public pressure finally forced Chaim Bloom and Red Sox ownership to pony up. It isn’t a wild theory. A Devers trade or his departure in free agency would have been the final straw. Fans made that clear at the Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Monday. Team owner John Henry was booed and the “Pay Devers” demands were loud and clear. Red Sox security even took a fan’s sign that read, “Pay Devers Please.” (How polite!?)
I’m not saying John Henry and Chaim Bloom saw the Winter Classic backlash and said, “You know what? Maybe we should pay the man after all.” This deal has been in progress since November. I do, however, think the fanbase’s impatience with the front office’s frugality played a significant factor.
Bloom and Co. deserve credit for getting the deal done. As the sixth-largest contract in MLB history, it should quiet those who claim Boston is turning into “Tampa Bay North.” At the same time though, this was a move that had to be made. Saying goodbye to Devers — especially without getting anything in return — would have been unforgivable. Signing him does not give the front office a pass for what has otherwise been a lackluster winter after a last-place season.
Too many question marks remain on the roster with just under three months until the 2023 campaign. They include:
Is Trevor Story taking over at shortstop with a bum elbow? If he does move over, who’s the full-time second baseman?
The starting rotation. We aren’t really putting any trust in Chris Sale at this point, are we? How will Garrett Whitlock fare as a starter? Can we count on Brayan Bello? Is James Paxton actually alive?
Is a Justin Turner-Rafael Devers-Trevor Story middle of the order scaring anyone? Is Triston Casas ready, and will he even be here? If not, are we stuck with another year of Bobby Dalbec at first base?
Is this the outfield we’ll see on Opening Day? If so, it leaves plenty to be desired in the power department with Alex Verdugo, Kiké Hernandez, and newly-acquired Masataka Yoshida. Just how much did the Red Sox overpay for Yoshida, anyway?
I get it. The news of Devers staying should breed positivity. But don’t forget he was on the 2022 team that finished a mediocre 78-84 behind the BALTIMORE ORIOLES in the American League East. There is still work to be done. We can acknowledge that while giving the Red Sox a pat on the back for doing what they were supposed to do.
On that note, here’s to 11 years more of this guy in Boston:
