Understandably disillusioned by what has been a brutal offseason to this point, fans would love to know what the Red Sox’s plan is, demanding an explanation as to why the team has largely sat out free agency, only opening their wallets for Japanese phenom Matasaka Yoshida and, apparently, anyone who has ever played for the Dodgers. Those concerns are warranted coming off a disappointing 2022 season that saw Boston finish last in the AL East for the second time in three years. The Mets, Yankees and Giants have spent record amounts this winter, leaving fans to wonder why the Red Sox aren’t doing the same, exhibiting the tendencies of a small-market team on a shoestring budget.
Chaim Bloom would say it’s just business, but how can fans, still reeling from the departures of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi—all staples of the Red Sox’s World Series team in 2018—feel any level of faith in a front office that can’t seem to commit to an identity? Signing Rafael Devers to a long-term extension won’t cure all that ails the Red Sox, but it would be a start, a needed peace offering after years of sending mixed signals.
While the Red Sox insist Devers is their top priority, it doesn’t sound like they’re making much progress, with ESPN’s Joon Lee reporting the two sides are “galaxies apart” in negotiations. Per Lee, the “current expectation” is that Devers will become a free agent after next season, content to let the market determine his value.
“We will probably, I think, go beyond reason to try to get this done," said Bloom, suggesting the Red Sox are willing to go outside their comfort zone, paying whatever is needed to keep Devers in Boston for the foreseeable future. "Hopefully we can get this done. There are always going to be limitations, like people can just put something plain out of reach. Some people love to bet on themselves and I hope he hits 63 homers if he does that.”
Not only is Devers among the most feared sluggers in MLB, but he’s also relatively young, recently celebrating his 26th birthday. That means there’s a good chance Devers’ best years in baseball are still ahead of him. Devers’ relative youth makes him the perfect star to build around, but will the Red Sox be able to meet his quota? Stay tuned.
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