Staff Reports
World Baseball Network
Jan. 4, 2023
The Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers have agreed to an 11-year, $331 million contract extension that will keep him in Beantown until his age 37 season, avoiding exposing the star infielder to free agency in 2024.
The deal includes a previously agreed-upon one year extension for the 2023 season worth $17.5 million that enabled Devers and the Red Sox to avoid arbitration this offseason.
The Dominicano infielder has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons and won the Silver Slugger in 2021. His best season, arguably, came in 2019, when the led the American League in doubles (54) and led the Major Leagues in total bases (359).
According to MLBtraderumors.com, the previously agreed-upon one year extension and the longer 10-year, $313.5 million extension through 2034 is the largest guaranteed contract in Red Sox history.
Devers is expected to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which will begin March 8.
In six seasons with Boston, Devers has hit .283/.342/.512 with 139 home runs and 455 RBI while serving as the team’s primary third baseman over the past five years. During Boston’s 2018 World Championship run, Devers batted .297 with one home run, nine RBI and three walks.