FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rafael Devers admitted agreeing to the one-year, $11.2 million Tuesday - avoiding an arbitration hearing with the Red Sox - was not an easy decision.
"It was tough, obviously, having to go back and forth about what my worth was because we have other guys they were saying, ‘This is what they are slotted at.’ But I was like, ‘That’s not me. I’m a different player and I know the type of player that I am.’ That’s really what it was," Devers told WEEI.com Wednesday morning.
But the real difficult decision will come when that conversation regarding a contract extension kicks off. For Devers, however, it's a reality he surprisingly hasn't had to deal with yet.
The third baseman was asked in the Wednesday morning conversation if the Red Sox had tried to introduce the idea of an extension.
"No, not yet," he said.
So, at no point has the Red Sox organization engaged in such a discussion, even with free agency looming after the 2023 season?
"No," Devers added.
The 25-year-old has dug in on a few things: 1. He doesn't want to compare himself to other third basemen; and 2. Once the season begins, the Red Sox shouldn't bother broaching the subject of a new contract.
"During spring training, of course, if they want to have those conversations I’m open to it. But once the season starts, I just want to focus on the season," Devers said through translator Bryan Almonte.
"We all want to make a lot more money because of the performance and what we do for the team. That’s something that may be hard at first, but you know you’re worth and I know my worth. What it comes down to is I know the type of money I should be making, so that’s what I’m focused on."
Devers added, "I’m not focused on what other guys are making or what they are doing. I’m more focused on what I’m doing on the field and what I’m worth. That’s why when it comes to those type of talks where they are trying to compare different types of players that doesn’t matter me because I know who I am and that’s what I focus on."
As for the here and now, Devers came away from Tuesday's agreement feeling good about his lot in life.
"I’m happy with what I got," he said. "The only thing was going back and forth about what I should be getting compared to other third basemen because of the numbers I have been able to put up and the type of player that I am."